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Virtual Reality Study
The purpose of this study is to develop and test a computer task that measures social decision–making skills among male adolescents with and without behavior problems. Research has shown that children with behavior problems (such as Conduct Disorder and Attention Deficit ⁄ Hyperactivity Disorder) make different social decisions than children without these behavior problems.
This study will develop a measure of decision making by having adolescents interact with synthetic characters or "virtual people" on the computer screen, as in a computer game. We are interested in how well the adolescents will accept the virtual people in terms of interacting and speaking with them. We will measure their responses to the characters and also ask for their opinions about the computer task.
The study is currently recruiting two groups of males 12–16, one group with Conduct Disorder ⁄ ADHD and another without any known behavioral problems. Only males will complete this present study. Future studies will include females.
This study is a collabortative effort with Dr. Robert Hubal of RTI International and funded by the National Science Foundation.
For more information, contact Dr. David Fitzgerald ⁄ Dr. Lisa Ahern (919) 416–2087 or Dr. Janet Whidby (919) 668–4483
View Ad for males with behavioral issues
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