Abstract
This paper aims to explore the usefulness of a Virtual Environment Task Analysis Tool (VETAT-PSYCH) to help psychologists design virtual environments. The tool, in the form of a workbook, was developed to support the needs analysis process essential to the design of virtual environments applied to the resolution of various psychological disorders. The successful design of a virtual environment rests on an analysis of the user and task requirements of a given application. An understanding of the target application is critical to treatment effectiveness and client satisfaction. VETAT-PSYCH aims to help close the gap between psychologists and developers, ensuring that applications meet both client and therapist expectations. The tool also aims to support the evaluation of various designs. The more informed our analyses, the better our design choices and clinical effectiveness are likely to be. To demonstrate the potential usefulness of the workbook, VETAT-PSYCH is applied to the relational obstacles encountered by a sexual abuse survivor. The first part of the article briefly introduces the case study and graded exposure, a cognitive-behavioral treatment component. The second part of the article presents the information collected in the VETAT-PSYCH workbook. Organizational, user, and task-related factors are described, then followed by the user and task requirements unique to the creation of a virtual environment. In conclusion, potential extensions of the tool are suggested.
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