Abstract: In response to the growing cybersecurity problem, this study presents an innovative approach using virtual reality to train individuals in reducing the risk of cyberattacks. The research involved 70 adult participants with or enrolled in higher education studies, who participated in a virtual reality task that simulates a typical workday in a corporate setting. The participants were divided into three groups: a control group of 24 engaged in tasks without cybersecurity threats, and two experimental groups of 23 each, with cybersecurity threats present, but one with feedback on performance and the other without feedback. The results revealed (1) that virtual reality shows promise as an effective tool to create immersive and ecological simulator experiences for cybersecurity training against cyberattacks, (2) the incorporation of feedback in real-world scenario simulators is crucial for participants to fully comprehend the complexities of cyber threats, and (3) risky behaviour within our virtual reality ecological setting, as well as age, can predict attitudes towards cybersecurity and cybercrime within organization. In conclusion, by taking advantage of this cutting-edge virtual reality approach, individuals, businesses, and governments can foster more secure cybersecurity practices, contributing to a safer digital landscape for everyone.

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4610981/v1

Julho 2024

Abstract: The acquired brain injuries (ABI) have consequences that affect the patients’ autonomy, particularly regarding activities of daily living (ADL). To reduce the impact that these changes will have on the patient’s life, it is important to develop diversified tasks with which individuals can train and improve their impaired abilities and strengthen those that are preserved. Therefore, this study aimed to validate a virtual ATM (Automated Teller Machine) task to be used to train patients with cognitive impairments. The sample consisted of 34 participants with ABI and 66 healthy controls. These participants performed the task either virtually or with a real ATM. Beyond revealing that the type of environment did not influence task performance, the results showed a relationship between the results of cognitive screening measures and the time to complete the task, in which participants with the lowest results had worse performance in the task. Also, the virtual ATM was more sensitive in discriminating the clinical group than the real task.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-023-00819-7

Junho 2023

Absratct: We present the VREthics application that enables immersive training in ethical decision making of internship psychologist. The development of this app is supported on theoretical information regarding best practices for ethics decisions in Psychology and technological issues concerning the system design. Eleven internship psychologists tested the VREthics and were questioned about their subjective assessment of the app, the VR training experience and its impact on the learning process. They reported a positive appreciation of both the VR training experience (43.52%) and of the impact on their training (31.98%). The most referenced characteristic is related to the realism and interactivity of the case, allowing them a sense of presence. Results are accordingly to the scarce literature and suggest that the VR training can be an important resource for practical learning, providing an educational context close to the real, interactive and engaging context. Therefore, the use of technological tools, more specifically VR, should be integrated in the psychologists skills ́ training of the utmost relevance to practice, namely in ethical decision-making. The next steps will be to implement VREthics in the initial training plan for internship psychologists at the Portuguese Psychologists Association, being a differentiating tool in their training that allows a more practical and interactive level of access to fundamental theoretical concepts.

https://doi.org/10.1037/tms0000059

Novembro 2021