Date of Award

8-2014

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Psychological Science

Program

Psychological Science (MS)

First Advisor/Chairperson

Mounia Ziat

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure reaction times (RTs) when a conflict arises between the visual feedback and the temperature of an object. This study focused on the quantifiable RTs along with the qualitative feedback of the participants. It was hypothesized that when the information of the visual and temperature stimuli are incongruent (blue-warm or red-cold), the RTs will be slower than when they are congruent (blue-cold or red-warm). We suggest that vision could convey temperature perception in an independent but complimentary manner. We utilized the Oculus Rift to create a virtual environment that allowed us to control the visual cues of an objects’ temperature and a Peltier thermo-device to provide the tactile temperature stimuli. The results confirmed our initial expectation that participants RTs are longer for incongruent stimuli than congruent stimuli. The results also showed that participants rated cold temperature sensations warmer when presented simultaneously with a visual red color cue and warm temperature sensations cooler when presented simultaneously with a visual blue color cue.

Access Type

Open Access

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