Tools to enhance VR tech use in practical application

This study provides a reliable measure for virtual avatar embodiment in VR, highlighting its impact on proprioception, kinaesthesia, and mental imagery. It benefits psychologists and therapists using VR in their work.

The "Measuring virtual embodiment: A psychometric investigation of a standardised questionnaire for the psychological sciences" article was recently published by Cassandra Crone (HDR) and Rachel Kallen in the School of Psychological Sciences.

The purpose of their research was to provide psychological scientists with a valid and reliable measure for assessing the embodiment, or perceived ownership, of a virtual avatar during experimental and therapeutic simulations in virtual reality.

This study highlights several key findings:

  1. Accounting for the body in motion, virtual avatar embodiment does not align directly with embodiment in the physical body.
  2. Virtual immersion can influence relations between proprioception, kinaesthesia, visuomotor performance, and mental imagery.
  3. The underlying structure of the 11-item questionnaire is closely related to pre-existing work on the rubber hand illusion.
  4. Simplified scoring exhibits content, construct, and criterion validity, good reliability, and theoretical interpretability.
  5. Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to use the measure to reduce measurement disparities across diverse domains.

Why do these findings matter?

The results have wider implications for therapeutic practices and experimental psychology, making the work relevant to both science and society by providing tools to better utilize VR technology in practical applications.

Who benefits from the research?

Behavioural Scientists, Psychologists, and Therapists who use VR in their work – allowing for more precise and effective use of VR technology in understanding and influencing human behaviour and perception.

Read the full article here to find out more about this exciting work.