Development of a Virtual Reality-Based Environment for Learning and Practicing Psychological Interviews, for Psychology Students at the Salesian Polytechnic University, Cuenca Campus

This project addresses the limitations of space and resources for the supervised practice of psychological interviews by Psychology students, a fundamental component of their training. The proposed solution is the development of a Virtual Reality (VR) based environment to simulate these interviews. The project will be executed in three stages: initially, the environment and avatars controlled by a human operator (simulating a virtual puppet with voice modulation) will be developed for preliminary tests via a monitor, collecting physiological and perception data. Subsequently, the tool will be transferred to an immersive environment using VR headsets, maintaining the collection of physiological variables to characterize the student's state. Finally, Artificial Intelligence tools will be integrated to develop customizable avatars based on real faces, allowing for the expansion of the experimental design and the analysis of students' emotional reactions through physiological measures. The main objective is to offer an innovative, safe, and controlled tool that enhances the acquisition of clinical competencies, cultural and ethical sensitivity, and professional preparation for future psychologists, overcoming the constraints of traditional Gesell Chambers and the difficulty of securing practice participants.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To develop a Virtual Reality environment that provides Psychology students at the Universidad Politécnica Salesiana in Cuenca with an effective and realistic tool for learning and practicing psychological interviewing skills, aiming to enhance their academic training and professional preparation in this field.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Comprehensive health and well-being