Is virtual reality emotionally arousing? Investigating five emotion inducing virtual park scenarios

Virtual Reality: An Innovative Tool in Destinations’ Marketing

“…VR further stimulates senses by creating an illusive and immersive experience (Gutiérrez, Vexo, & Th almann, 2008),in which users are able to visualiseplaces and landscapes, and experienceactivities that they mayenjoy when visiting the destination (Cheong, 1995). VR off ers destinations a unique opportunity to transmit intended emotions to potential tourists in a more eff ective way compared to traditional promotional material (Osti & Pechlaner2001;Diemer, Alpers, Peperskorn, Shiban, & Mühlberger, 2015;Felnhofer et al, 2015).Additionally, according to Cuperus, Laken, van den Hout, & Engelhard (2016) and Serrano, Baños, & Botella (2016), VR is more powerful in inducing strong emotions, as it creates a feeling of presencethat is traveling virtually to the shown place. Th us, by infl uencing and stimulating intended emotions through VR, destinations have a great opportunityto infl uence the decision-making process of potential tourists and to enhance tourism.…”

The Potential of Virtual Reality for the Investigation of Awe

“…Findings indicated that virtual stimuli were able to induce the expected emotional states. Recently, this procedure was replicated and further extended by Felnhofer et al (2015) who used five different virtual park scenarios to elicit specific affective states. The researchers created virtual park scenarios for joy, anger, boredom, anxiety, and sadness, which shared the same layout (i.e., non-playing virtual characters; trees; rubbish bins; park benches; a pond).…”

A game for emotional regulation in adolescents: The (body) interface device matters

“…This concept has been receiving special interest since the emergence of digital technologies that allow new forms of play and interaction with the environment, as in the case of virtual reality (VR). VR involves a realtime simulation of an environment that allows user interaction via multiple sensory channels that elicit emotional responses and a sense of presence (i.e., Adamovich, Fluet, Tunik, & Merians, 2009;Baños et al, 2012;Felnhofera et al, 2015;Mantovani & Riva, 1999;Riva, Castelnuovo, & Mantovani, 2006). It can be provided through different devices, varying the degree of sensorial channels (i.e., vision, auditory, touch), the degree of sensory richness (i.e., from larger to smaller screens), or the involvement of the body (motor system) in interacting with the interface (i.e., from moving the mouse to interacting with the whole body).…”