Table 5 Overselectivity paradigm procedure

Without avatar

In the first phase, two images placed 40 cm from each other, reporting complex stimuli (ABC, correct stimulus; XYZ, incorrect stimulus (Fig. 2) were presented.

The examiner presented each subject with the correct complex stimulus described as the “correct one”; both the correct and incorrect cards were then presented on the screen in front of each subject who was subsequently asked: “Which is the correct one?”

Forty-five seconds were allowed to answer the question. The subjects could answer by grasping an image or by looking at it.

If the subject chose the correct card (ABC) during the 45 s, the examiner gave them a verbal reinforcement (e.g. “Great!” “Very good!”). If the subject chose the incorrect image (XYZ) or did not choose any image during 45 s, both were removed, and the ‘no’ answer was coded. A new possibility of choice started after 10 s.

In the second phase, the examiner used the cards reporting individual objects extracted both by correct and incorrect complex stimuli by devising 9 different pairs of individual stimuli from the combination of A with Y, B with X etc. The examiner asked every participant to choose the correct stimulus.

With avatar

The avatar presented both the complex stimuli and the individual stimuli between which the participant had to choose (phase 1 and 2).