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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
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Virtual Reality Experiments with Physiological Measures
Published on: August 29, 2018
Immersiveness and physiological arousal within panoramic video-based virtual reality.
Mary F Macedonio1, Thomas D Parsons, Raymond A DiGiuseppe
1Department of Psychology, St. John's University, New York, USA.
Summary
Panoramic video-based virtual environments (PVVEs) can induce physiological arousal, such as anger. Hypnotizability and absorption levels moderate this physiological response in virtual reality experiences.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Virtual Reality Studies
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Virtual environments offer immersive experiences.
- Understanding emotional and physiological responses in virtual reality is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of panoramic video-based virtual environments (PVVEs) for inducing self-reported anger.
- To assess the physiological correlates of anger arousal and the role of immersiveness.
Main Methods:
- Participants experienced PVVEs designed to evoke anger.
- Physiological measures included heart rate, blood pressure, galvanic skin response (GSR), respiration, and skin temperature.
- Hypnotizability and absorption levels were also measured.
Main Results:
- PVVEs demonstrated the capacity to induce physiological arousal over time.
- Participant hypnotizability significantly interacted with group on physiological arousal measures.
- Physiological arousal was moderated by individual hypnotizability and absorption levels.
Conclusions:
- PVVEs can be physiologically arousing, potentially inducing anger.
- Individual differences, specifically hypnotizability and absorption, play a moderating role in virtual reality-induced physiological responses.
