Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42257916›Full record

ArticleBehavior research methods2026

Virtual reality skinner box: A step-by-step guide with Unity and Spatial.io.

Laurent Avila-Chauvet, Diana Mejía-Cruz, Agustin Robles-Morua, Ivan Humberto Uribe Morales, Yancarlo Lizandro Ojeda-Aguilar

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Behavior research methods, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Laurent Avila-ChauvetSonora Institute of Technology, Ciudad Obregón, Mexico. laurent.ac.ags@gmail.com.
Diana Mejía-CruzSonora Institute of Technology, Ciudad Obregón, Mexico.
Agustin Robles-MoruaSonora Institute of Technology, Ciudad Obregón, Mexico.
Ivan Humberto Uribe MoralesSonora Institute of Technology, Ciudad Obregón, Mexico.
Yancarlo Lizandro Ojeda-AguilarAutonomous University of Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) and immersive virtual reality (iVR) enable users to experience computer-generated, three-dimensional environments that can replicate real-world settings or create entirely fictional ones. Despite growing interest in the use of immersive technologies in research, designing and programming virtual environments, particularly without professional support, can be especially challenging due to technical complexity, cost, and the need for programming skills. To address these challenges and support researchers and students interested in developing experimental tasks in VR and iVR, this tutorial introduces the Spatial.io platform for virtual environment deployment, along with the Spatial Creator Toolkit for Unity. A detailed, step-by-step guide is provided for setting up a virtual operant conditioning chamber compatible with head-mounted displays (HMDs), mobile devices, and web browsers. The tutorial covers key development stages, including account setup, Unity project configuration, 3D model integration, incorporation of preconfigured Spatial components, and implementation of task logic using C#. By reducing technical barriers, this resource aims to promote the broader adoption of immersive virtual technologies in behavioral research.

Indexed as

Behavioral ResearchConditioning, OperantUser-Computer InterfaceVirtual RealityHumansSoftwareBehavioral researchOperant conditioning chamberSpatial.ioUnityVirtual reality (VR)

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.