The Effects of Colored Environmental Surroundings in Virtual Reality

Research has shown that environmental cues affect long-term memory and spatial cognition, but there is still a lack of understanding of the exact characteristics that produce these effects. We conducted a virtual reality (VR) within-subjects repeated measures study on 51 participants to test color congruency. Participants saw and studied 20 objects, then completed object recall and placement tasks in a recall room with a congruent or incongruent color. The objective and subjective data we gathered suggest that congruent color conditions influenced long-term memory and speed for recalled objects. Object size was also shown to influence spatial cognition and long-term memory.