Affective experience in a virtual crowd regulates perceived travel time.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Subjective time perception is influenced by various factors, including affect and physiological arousal.
• Previous research often isolates these factors using simple stimuli in laboratory settings.
• Ecological validity in studying time perception is crucial for real-world applicability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the combined effects of social crowding, affect, and heart rate on subjective time perception.
• To explore the use of immersive virtual reality (VR) for ecological studies of psychological phenomena.
• To test the hypothesis that affective experience associated with crowding lengthens perceived trip duration.

Main Methods:

• Participants (N=41) experienced immersive virtual reality subway rides with varying levels of virtual social crowding.
• Objective crowding, subjective affect (pleasantness/unpleasantness), and heart rate were measured.
• Perceived trip duration was assessed after each virtual experience.

Main Results:

• Increased virtual crowding decreased pleasantness and increased unpleasantness.
• Higher crowding levels significantly lengthened perceived trip duration (1.8s longer per additional person/m²).
• Affective experience mediated the relationship between crowding and longer perceived time; heart rate changes independently related to time perception.

Conclusions:

• Social crowding and associated affect significantly regulate the subjective experience of time.
• Virtual reality provides a powerful tool for ecologically valid and controlled psychological research.
• Findings demonstrate the socioemotional regulation of time perception in a simulated, yet realistic, social environment.