Perception in Flux: Investigating Memory and Attention During Gradual Environmental Transformations in Virtual Reality

This study examines how imperceptible environmental transitions in virtual reality (VR) influence spatial memory and perception. Participants experience a VR environment gradually morphing from one setting (a kitchen) to another (a bedroom) through the course of 15 minutes. We compare these morphing conditions to static controls to assess whether participants unconsciously form blended spatial memories integrating elements of both scenes. Eyetracking data is used to analyze attentional shifts and their relationship to undetected changes. We hypothesize that participants in morphing conditions encode integrated spatial representations without consciously detecting transformations. This research aims to advance our understanding of how gradual transitions shape memory and perception, offering insights into designing immersive VR experiences that subtly adapt while maintaining presence.