Media and Experimental Laboratory (MExLab)

Supervised by Prof. Dr André Melzer, MExLab provides a scientific environment for media-related testing aimed at furthering both research and teaching at UL. The MExLab is well suited to cover a broad range of current experimental topics in many fields in psychology. For example, MExLab-based experiments focus on cognition, emotion and behaviour in social interactions related to virtual worlds.

Lab equipment

In three separate test rooms, up to ten participants can simultaneously take part in computer-based experiments. The lab is equipped with a wide range of advanced technical devices used in experimental lab studies. One of these is a servo-hydraulic and fully customizable driving simulator with three 65” LED screens that allow for testing of a wide range of realistic driving situations. The second is a custom-built vehicle setup for commercial racing games including a driver seat, steering wheel, foot pedals, and three 42” LED screens. This realistic but safe setting approach allows researchers to gain valuable insights into behavior in critical driving situations.

A 5.1 audio surround system, paired with an 84” 4K LED screen connected to the latest generation of game consoles (e.g., Sony PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch), supports participants’ feelings of immersion while playing the latest video games. Additionally, their behavior and in-game events can be recorded using two 4k cameras and high-sensitive stereo microphones. An experimenter supervising participants can remotely control audio and video recordings from an observation room.

In addition, the MexLab also studies the effects of virtual reality using a variety of technical systems (e.g. HTV Vive Pro. Meta Quest 2) and video game effects with several PC-gaming stations equipped with high-end gaming devices.

Lastly, the MExLab is equipped with a station to assess physiological measurements through easy and non-invasive methods such as heart rate data or electrodermal activity using a BIOPAC MP36 device.

MExLab Applications

  • Media-supported testing of social phenomena: cognitive, emotional, behavioral, physiological effects
  • Video games: morality, prosocial/antisocial behavior, gender roles/gender stereotypes, stress, well-being
  • Driving simulation: critical situations, driving under the influence, vigilance
  • Virtual worlds: social interactions in VR
  • Observation: AV-recording of participant behaviour

MExLab and Teaching

As to teaching, the MExLab provides students with a wide range of “hands-on” learning experiences for designing, conducting, and analysing experiments in psychology. The lab equipment also serves as tool to collect data for the students’ own research (i.e., thesis papers).

Share this