INTRODUCTORY PSYCHOLOGY LABORATORIES USING GRAPHIC SIMULATIONS OF VIRTUAL SUBJECTS

Graphical simulations of the behavior of virtual subjects in laborator y or field microworlds were developed to teach research principles to introductory psychology students. Students conduct studies in laborato ry classes, assuming the primary role of being an experimenter. Microw orld modules were designed to foster the flexible exploration of impor tant steps in the research process, including hypothesis generation, r esearch planning and design, behavioral observation or testing, and da ta summarization and analysis. The modules were designed to impart a s ense of behavioral ''presence'' so that students would obtain an appre ciation of realistic behavioral observation and of testing methodologi es. Microworlds that have been developed include infant preferential l ooking (cognitive processes), courting behavior of fireflies, personal ity test development, working memory, operant conditioning, single-cel l recording of sensory function, and testing of brain-damaged people. Principles that guided the development of software modules and laborat ory class exercises are discussed.