Abstract: Virtual reality (VR) has been increasingly used within training contexts. It is important to understand how users are affected by various distractions for designing more effective learning experiences in VR. In this paper, we explored how visual (i.e., virtual balls bouncing across the user’s field of view) and auditory (i.e., pure-tone click train sounds) distractors affect perceived cognitive load and the relation to cognitive alertness. We conducted a within-subjects user study (N = 48) that revolved around a visuo-spatial cup stacking task. Participants completed seven trial conditions in total (no distractor condition, three visual distractor conditions with varying proximities, and three audio distractor conditions with varying pitches). We measured perceived cognitive load through questionnaires and cognitive alertness through changes in pupil dilation. In summary, participants were negatively affected by the auditory distractors and not the visual distractors.

Keywords: Cognitive alertness, cognitive load, distraction, eye tracking, virtual reality, visual and auditory distractors

Pages: 358-372