Virtual reality allows Kohawks to perform graduate-level research
Step into Coe College Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Ben Chihak’s virtual reality world. Literally...step in it. Through their research, Chihak and his students ask participants to step in front of virtual bicyclists careening down a path. The goal? Safely cross between two bicycles. If you misjudge your steps, you’ll be run over by a team of virtual unapologetic cyclists. After all, you’re in their world now.
Kohawks work in tandem with Chihak studying perceptual psychology — psychology concerned specifically with fundamental aspects of the human cognitive system. To simplify it, Chihak and his students are performing graduate-level research at Coe to gain an understanding of how the human visual system processes information to safely cross the road (or in this case, a bike path).
Students help Chihak perform applied research focused on developing appropriate safety measures, such as having more and/or specific bike lanes and considering the effectiveness of road-crossing training programs in schools. Their theoretical research focuses on reviewing the existing theories of how organisms make their way through the world and all of the elements involved.
During spring term 2018, Coe students had the opportunity to work in tandem with Chihak in theory development, data collection and analysis. Last fall, Kohawks started digging into theoretical issues, testing movement control theories and designing scenarios to perform studies. James Bordwell ’21 attended a conference with Chihak in New Orleans where he was able to present research he performed at Coe and field questions from other researchers. “Overall, my greatest takeaway from the experience was an appreciation for the scope of the psychological community and an awareness that there are others out there who share our curiosity for exploring human behavior and cognition,” said Bordwell.
“The opportunity to participate in this research benefits all students, not just those planning to attend graduate school,” Chihak said. “Students coming from liberal arts institutions tend to have writing experience; it's not often that they get this level of research experience during their undergraduate studies. That’s what sets Coe apart — many students have presented their work in a public forum before they graduate.”
Chihak’s continued research with students enhances Coe’s promise — 100 percent of Coe students are guaranteed an internship, research or off-campus study opportunity. Established in 1851, Coe has a national reputation for academic excellence enhanced by a student-centered, highly supportive campus environment. Coe’s vibrant Cedar Rapids location provides an abundance of internships for students and career opportunities for graduates.