Abstract:One aim of virtual reality technology is to immerse the user in a digital environment that is distinct from physical reality. Feeling spatially located in this digital environment is central to the experience, and is more formally known as spatial presence. Experiences of spatial presence differ between individuals; prominent theories assume that these differences may, in part, be explained by differences in more general spatial abilities.Whilst there is some support for this claim with desktop systems there is currently no direct empirical evidence to support this with more immersive technologies such as Head Mounted Displays (HMDs). In this study participants completed three different measures of spatial ability before experiencing two virtual environments. These measures included: a self-report of visuospatial imagery; the mental rotations test; and a test of topographical memory. After completing the measures, participants briefly experienced a virtual city and a virtual train ride through a HMD. The user's head movements were tracked and visual displays were updated to give the sense of a full 360 o environment. After each experience the participants reported how present they felt and the extent to which they had a mental model of the environment. Self-reports of imagery were positively correlated with reports of spatial presence, consistent with previous literature. However, spatial presence was not related to performance on either of the more objective tests. Whilst this provides confirmatory evidence that self-reports of imagery can predict presence it is still unclear which more basic spatial abilities, if any, could underlie this relationship.
Quantitative methods have thus far been the predominant methodological stance of virtual presence research, leaving much to be desired in terms of qualitative understanding. Yet, virtual experiences are a highly personal engagement, unique to each individual, and their presence in virtual reality can be viewed in terms of its experiential individuality. This aspect of the virtual experience is overlooked by conventional quantitative methods, which clusters ratings or scores to form group deductions. Therefore, to address the qualitative gap in the literature and provide an appropriate examination of virtual experiences from the perspective of the individual, an Interpretative Phenomenological Approach was undertaken. This alternate methodology sought to reveal which aspects of virtual experiences users identify as enabling feelings of presence. Examination of common themes among accounts of individuals were performed, to investigate the generation of feelings of presence in virtual reality. Online recruitment provided six interviewees who participated in online semi-structured interviews, prior to Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Three superordinate themes were identified: visual satisfaction, freedom of interaction and suspension of real life. Expectance, realism and prevention of disbelief are among the sub-themes identified that contributed to the interviewee’s highly present experiences. The identified themes demonstrated the greatest influences of enabling a deeper sense of presence, in turn enhancing their experiences within virtual reality. In acknowledging these mitigating influences, it is hoped this may enable future virtual systems to build upon the research provided and produce consistently high-presence experiences. Consequently, this can aid educational, therapeutic and entertainment applications of virtual reality.
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