Results_Main_Experiment

Original (anonymized) score sheets, labeled with the numbers of the subject

ReadMe

ReadMe file describing the contents of this dataset

Data from: No effect of ambient odor on the affective appraisal of a desktop virtual environment with signs of disorder

Background: Desktop virtual environments (VEs) are increasingly deployed to study the effects of environmental qualities and interventions on human behavior and safety related concerns in built environments. For these applications it is essential that users appraise the affective qualities of the VE similar to those of its real world counterpart. Previous studies have shown that factors like simulated lighting, sound and dynamic elements all contribute to the affective appraisal of a desktop VE. Since ambient odor is known to affect the affective appraisal of real environments, and has been shown to increase the sense of presence in immersive VEs, it may also be an effective tool to tune the affective appraisal of desktop VEs. This study investigated if exposure to ambient odor can modulate the affective appraisal of a desktop VE with signs of public disorder. Method: Participants explored a desktop VE representing a suburban neighborhood with signs of public disorder (neglect, vandalism and crime), while being exposed to either room air or subliminal levels of unpleasant (tar) or pleasant (cut grass) ambient odor. Whenever they encountered signs of disorder they reported their safety related concerns and associated affective feelings. Results: Signs of crime in the desktop VE were associated with negative affective feelings and concerns for personal safety and personal property. However, there was no significant difference between reported safety related concerns and affective connotations in the control (no-odor) and in each of the two ambient odor conditions. Conclusion: Ambient odor did not affect safety related concerns and affective connotations associated with signs of disorder in the desktop VE. Thus, semantic congruency between ambient odor and a desktop VE may not be sufficient to influence its affective appraisal, and a more realistic simulation in which simulated objects appear to emit scents may be required to achieve this goal

Mean (SD) of the factor <i>Concern for Personal Safety</i> in the control, ambient tar and ambient grass odor conditions for each of the three classes of experimental items signaling respectively Neglect (24 items), Vandalism (1 item) and Crime (17 items: see Table 1).

<p>Mean (SD) of the factor <i>Concern for Personal Safety</i> in the control, ambient tar and ambient grass odor conditions for each of the three classes of experimental items signaling respectively Neglect (24 items), Vandalism (1 item) and Crime (17 items: see <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0078721#pone-0078721-t001" target="_blank">Table 1</a>).</p

Map of the modeled area of the town of Soesterberg (www.openstreetmap.org).

<p>(a) Walking route (orange line) and walking direction (small black arrows). (b) Corresponding top-view of the virtual environment.</p

<i>Game and Computer Experience Questionnaire</i>, together with the scores attributed to each item.

<p><i>Game and Computer Experience Questionnaire</i>, together with the scores attributed to each item.</p

Distribution of participants over the experimental conditions.

<p>Distribution of participants over the experimental conditions.</p

Physical incivilities in the virtual environment.

<p>Examples shown represent (a,b) empty beer cans, (c) broken glass, (d,e) bicycle parts, (f) broken car window glass, (g) garbage bags and bicycle parts, (h) paper litter, (i) dog droppings, (j) garbage bag, (k) car tire.</p

Warning signs and cameras.

<p>Warning signs and cameras.</p

Experimental items, their connotations of physical and social disorder, and the experimental classification.

<p>Numbers in brackets indicate the number of items present in the VE.</p