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Virtual Reality-Based Joy Induction: The Role of Interactivity and Prior Mood
Maor Bluman1, Keren L G Snider2, Guy Baratz3
1Sammy Ofer School of Communications, Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel.
Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking
|April 6, 2023
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) effectively reduces negative feelings through interactive experiences. However, VR-induced joy is most successful when participants start with a neutral mood, not a negative one.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Virtual Reality
Background:
- Virtual reality (VR) offers novel methods for mood induction.
- Understanding the impact of interactivity and prior mood on VR effectiveness is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate VR's effectiveness for inducing joy.
- To examine how interactivity and prior mood influence VR-based mood induction.
Main Methods:
- A 2x2 factorial experiment with 124 participants.
- Manipulation of prior mood (neutral vs. negative) using VR scenarios.
- Comparison of interactive vs. noninteractive VR experiences for mood induction.
Main Results:
- Interactive VR significantly reduced negative affect regardless of prior mood.
- VR-induced joy increased only when participants had a neutral prior mood.
- Prior negative mood did not enhance joy induction through playful VR interaction.
Conclusions:
- Interactivity is a key design principle for VR-based negative mood reduction.
- Transforming prior negative moods into joy using VR requires further investigation.
- VR's potential for therapeutic mood regulation warrants continued research.
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