Field dependence–independence (FDI) is a psychological construct determining an individual’s approach of the perception–cognition coupling. In virtual reality (VR) context, several studies suggest that an individual’s perceptive style is susceptible to shift toward a more FI mode through down-weighting of conflicting visual cues. The present study proposes to investigate the potential flexible nature of FDI following a virtual immersion and to assess if this flexibility might be associated with the subjective experience of VR. 86 participants explored a real-world–like virtual environment for approximately 10 min. FDI levels were measured before and after the VR exposure using the rod-and-frame test. Their subjective experience of VR was measured a posteriori (cybersickness and sense of presence) and used in order to build two experimental groups via a cluster analysis. The results showed that only participants with a poor subjective experience of VR (i.e., a low level of sense of presence associated with a high level of cybersickness) significantly shifted to a more FI mode, which is discussed as a sensory re-weighting mechanism. Pragmatical applications are discussed, and future studies are outlined, based on the conclusion that FDI might be more flexible than we thought, which could shed light on the psychophysiology of VR.

Accurately perceiving the gravitational direction is key to successful interaction in our terrestrial environment. In this context field dependence (FD), the importance given to static and/or dynamic visual cues, has largely been discussed. Although first considered a trait, several studies suggest FD be flexible in response to postural or visual contexts and to poor virtual reality user experience. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the influence of a disruptive virtual immersion on the level of static and dynamic FD. Forty-five participants were exposed to a virtual maritime environment for up to 14 minutes.Cybersickness and sense of presence were measured. Before and after virtual immersion, the Rod and Frame Test and the Rod and Disc Test were performed to assess static and dynamic FD respectively. We demonstrated a significant decrease in both levels of FD after immersion in initially more dependent participants. Decrease in static FD was explained by high initial static FD and severe cybersickness, while decrease in dynamic FD was only explained by the initial level of dynamic FD. In this study, we provide evidence confirming FD flexibility, likely reflecting an adaptation process to environmental or individual-related constraints. Yet, static and dynamic FD seem to rely on separate mechanisms, highlighting the necessity to specify which characteristic of visual information (static or dynamic) individuals depend on when assessing their FD. Our results question the reliability of virtual reality for perceptive or motor diagnoses without considering its consequences, specifically in vulnerable populations such as the elderly.