someguyfromtheuk t1_itkj5cu wrote
Reply to comment by Electrical-Smile-636 in Exploring a new environment helps boost dopamine levels which are projected to the hippocampus, decreasing the threshold for learning. However, in older people, the novelty of a new environment doesn’t boost memory as much as it does in younger people. by Wagamaga
Does this also apply to virtual novel environments like video games/books/movies?
Like if a film is set on an alien planet instead of your home country are you more likely to remember the details of it because the environment is novel?
Electrical-Smile-636 t1_itkozuo wrote
We also use virtual environments, so with regard to that example, I'd say yes. In a study from 2021, however, we found that the benefits only occurred when individuals were actively exploring (similar as in a 3D game) and not just watching exploration behavior from someone else (which would be more similar to watching a movie). My hunch is that making active navigational choices may be a prerequisite (as this probably relies on the hippocampus). We need to investigate this more thoroughly (i.e., using neuroscientific methods) though! I'd be interested to see if imagined environments, as may occur when reading a book, could have an effect. Good idea for a follow-up maybe :)
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