Leiden University Student Repository

Romijn, Ysanne (2026)

Stress en verkenning in een nieuwe virtuele omgeving: het effect van game-ervaring op actief verkengedrag.

Bachelor thesis | Psychologie (BSc)

Exploring new environments plays a key role in learning processes and knowledge acquisition. This process involves the formation of mental representations essential for understanding future situations. However, stress can hinder this process. The current study investigated the extent to which stress could reduce free and active exploration in a virtual environment (NOVEL-T), and whether prior gaming experience moderates this effect. The study included 55 participants (average age 21.6). Stress was manipulated using the Sing-aSong Stress Test, with subjective stress scores confirming the stress response. Distance traveled and the number of landmarks found in the environment served as measures of active exploration behavior. It was expected that stress would lead to reduction of active exploration behavior due to withdrawal and a possible freezing response. Gaming experience, however, was associated with active exploration behavior and could moderate the relationship between stress...Show moreExploring new environments plays a key role in learning processes and knowledge acquisition. This process involves the formation of mental representations essential for understanding future situations. However, stress can hinder this process. The current study investigated the extent to which stress could reduce free and active exploration in a virtual environment (NOVEL-T), and whether prior gaming experience moderates this effect. The study included 55 participants (average age 21.6). Stress was manipulated using the Sing-aSong Stress Test, with subjective stress scores confirming the stress response. Distance traveled and the number of landmarks found in the environment served as measures of active exploration behavior. It was expected that stress would lead to reduction of active exploration behavior due to withdrawal and a possible freezing response. Gaming experience, however, was associated with active exploration behavior and could moderate the relationship between stress and exploration, due to powerful cognitive abilities and the potential transfer of gaming skills. The results showed no significant effect of stress on active behavior, nor a significant moderating effect of gaming experience. The results of this study suggest that the use of previously learned skills can be avoided, while exploratory behavior in virtual environments may be influenced by characteristics and evaluations of the environment itself. The level and duration of the stress response may influence potential differences in exploratory behavior. Future research into underlying cognitive mechanisms under stress is needed to understand the disruptions surrounding this effect. Furthermore, careful consideration of clinical outcomes when using virtual reality remains important.Show less

Author

Romijn, Ysanne

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Child and Adolescent psychology

Supervisors

Schomaker, J.

ECTS Credits

15

Language

nl