research-article

Virtual memory palaces: immersion aids recall

Authors:

Catherine Plaisant,

Amitabh VarshneyAuthors Info & Claims

Virtual Reality, Volume 23, Issue 1

Pages 1 - 15

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-018-0346-3

Published: 05 March 2019 Publication History

Abstract

Virtual reality displays, such as head-mounted displays (HMD), afford us a superior spatial awareness by leveraging our vestibular and proprioceptive senses, as compared to traditional desktop displays. Since classical times, people have used memory palaces as a spatial mnemonic to help remember information by organizing it spatially and associating it with salient features in that environment. In this paper, we explore whether using virtual memory palaces in a head-mounted display with head-tracking (HMD condition) would allow a user to better recall information than when using a traditional desktop display with a mouse-based interaction (desktop condition). We found that virtual memory palaces in HMD condition provide a superior memory recall ability compared to the desktop condition. We believe this is a first step in using virtual environments for creating more memorable experiences that enhance productivity through better recall of large amounts of information organized using the idea of virtual memory palaces.

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Cited By

Santilli TCeccacci SMengoni MGiaconi C(2025)Virtual vs. traditional learning in higher educationComputers & Education10.1016/j.compedu.2024.105214227:COnline publication date: 1-Apr-2025
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.compedu.2024.105214
Veitch NDonald CJudge ACarman CScott PTaylor SMarks LEdmond AKirkwood NMcDonnell NMacpherson F(2025)Experiential learning through virtual reality by-proxyVirtual Reality10.1007/s10055-025-01106-329:1Online publication date: 8-Feb-2025
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1007/s10055-025-01106-3
Siqueira Rodrigues LSchmidt TNyakatura JZachow SIsrael JKosch T(2024)Assessing the Effects of Sensory Modality Conditions on Object Retention across Virtual Reality and Projected Surface Display EnvironmentsProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36981378:ISS(255-282)Online publication date: 24-Oct-2024
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Index Terms

Virtual memory palaces: immersion aids recall
1. Computing methodologies
  1. Computer graphics
    1. Graphics systems and interfaces
      1. Virtual reality
2. Human-centered computing
  1. Human computer interaction (HCI)
    1. Interaction paradigms
      1. Mixed / augmented reality
      2. Virtual reality

Index terms have been assigned to the content through auto-classification.

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Information & Contributors

Information

Published In

cover image Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality Volume 23, Issue 1

Mar 2019

115 pages

ISSN:1359-4338

EISSN:1434-9957

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© The Author(s) 2018.

Publisher

Springer-Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg

Publication History

Published: 05 March 2019

Accepted: 03 May 2018

Received: 21 October 2016

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Cited By

Santilli TCeccacci SMengoni MGiaconi C(2025)Virtual vs. traditional learning in higher educationComputers & Education10.1016/j.compedu.2024.105214227:COnline publication date: 1-Apr-2025
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.compedu.2024.105214
Veitch NDonald CJudge ACarman CScott PTaylor SMarks LEdmond AKirkwood NMcDonnell NMacpherson F(2025)Experiential learning through virtual reality by-proxyVirtual Reality10.1007/s10055-025-01106-329:1Online publication date: 8-Feb-2025
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1007/s10055-025-01106-3
Siqueira Rodrigues LSchmidt TNyakatura JZachow SIsrael JKosch T(2024)Assessing the Effects of Sensory Modality Conditions on Object Retention across Virtual Reality and Projected Surface Display EnvironmentsProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36981378:ISS(255-282)Online publication date: 24-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3698137
Li XHe WJin SGugenheimer JHui PLiang HKristensson P(2024)Investigating Creation Perspectives and Icon Placement Preferences for On-Body Menus in Virtual RealityProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36981368:ISS(236-254)Online publication date: 24-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3698136
Bampouni EAhmad AXi NLegaki NHamari J(2024)Effects of Immersion and Embodiment on Memory in Virtual RealityProceedings of the 27th International Academic Mindtrek Conference10.1145/3681716.3681724(58-67)Online publication date: 8-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3681716.3681724
Siqueira Rodrigues LSchmidt TIsrael JZachow SNyakatura JKosch T(2024)Comparing the Effects of Visual, Haptic, and Visuohaptic Encoding on Memory Retention of Digital Objects in Virtual RealityProceedings of the 13th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/3679318.3685349(1-13)Online publication date: 13-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3679318.3685349
Jubran OMonaco EMuntini LLachmann T(2024)The "bizarre" object effect in Virtual Reality: A comparative serial recall studyProceedings of the European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics 202410.1145/3673805.3673806(1-7)Online publication date: 8-Oct-2024
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Daeijavad P(2024)Investigating the Impact of Multiple View Layouts on Users' Visual Task Performance in Extended RealityProceedings of the 2024 International Conference on Advanced Visual Interfaces10.1145/3656650.3656756(1-3)Online publication date: 3-Jun-2024
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Numan NRajaram SKumaravel BMarquardt NWilson A(2024)SpaceBlender: Creating Context-Rich Collaborative Spaces Through Generative 3D Scene BlendingProceedings of the 37th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology10.1145/3654777.3676361(1-25)Online publication date: 13-Oct-2024
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