Behavior Cue Detection Training: Understanding The Impact Of Simulator Sickness On Performance

In order to survive in combat zones, an individual soldier must be proficient in the following skills: Pattern recognition and Behavior cue detection. Although, current military training requirements are inadequate for developing pattern recognition and behavior detection, research shows that Simulation-based Training, via virtual environments (VE’s) can improve pattern recognition and behavior detection skills. However, the use of VEs for visually dependent tasks may also increase simulator sickness in some individuals. This experiment compared a virtual version of Kim’s game (i.e., an observational game to increase memory and performance) to a control group to assess the role of simulator sickness on performance. Participants were randomly assigned to either the Kim’s game or control condition and completed a pre-test, training vignette, and post-test. During the experiment, participants recorded their level of simulator sickness using a questionnaire developed by Kennedy et al. (International Journal of Aviation Psychology 3:203-220, 1993 [1]). The data analysis revealed that the Kim’s game group reported higher levels of simulator sickness symptoms which had a negative effect on performance (i.e., detection accuracy and false positive detection). The results also indicated that there was a positive correlation in the control group between disorientation and detection accuracy. This implies that the control group may have become familiar with the experimental task, suggesting that simulator sickness did not negatively impact their performance. The following paper discusses the influence of simulator sickness on performance and offers new ways to reduce simulator sickness for behavior cue detection training