Performing a task on concept formation in virtual reality: duration, number of attempts, and dynamics of the current state

The subject of the research is the connection between the dynamics of the current psychological state and the duration of task performance for concept formation in virtual reality, as well as the number of attempts at solving it. Changes in well-being, tone, calmness, activation, and excitation are examined based on comparing indicators before and after completing the virtual version of the Vygotsky-Sakharov task. Special attention is paid to how individual differences in task completion time and the number of solution checks correlate with changes in each of the mentioned indicators. The dynamics of the state are analyzed both at the level of general shifts in the surveyed group and in relation to the task performance characteristics of individual participants. Duration of performance and number of attempts are considered separately, allowing for a description of their relationship with the dynamics of the current state without assuming interchangeability of these characteristics or a causal nature of the identified connections. Measurements were taken in one group before and after the task. The sample consisted of 18 students aged 17–23 years, 14 women and 4 men. The Vygotsky-Sakharov task was presented on a smartphone in a Cardboard holder until successfully completed. Performance indicators were determined from video recordings. Statistical processing included directed paired t-tests and ten equal bilateral Spearman correlations. After completing the virtual task, the decrease in scores for well-being, tone, and calmness reflected favorable changes (effect sizes – 0.592, 1.057, and 0.506). Changes in activation and excitation did not reach significance. Greater duration of execution was associated with a more pronounced shift towards calmness (ρ = −0.480; p = 0.044); the remaining correlations were nominally insignificant. The hypothesis of a connection between duration and number of attempts with opposing dynamics of state was partially confirmed. Interpretation is limited by multiple tests, small sample size, and errors in video coding, with causal conclusions hindered by the lack of a control group. The results are applicable in planning research on states during VR task resolution but do not justify extending session durations for its regulation. Overcoming the limitations of traditional interpretation of the Vygotsky-Sakharov methodology performance based on formal indicators may be aided by additional step-by-step micro-semantic analysis of participants' problem-solving protocols.