The Effect of Changes in the Number of People in a VR Environment on Interpersonal Distance

With the recent popularization of online interviews, lack of communication has become an issue. By using VR technology, it is expected to duplicate an environment similar to a face-to-face interview and optimize the interview environment with psychological comfort in mind. In this study, we examined the effects of the number of interviewers and types of objects in a VR space on participants' interpersonal distance. In Experiment 1, cardboard, mannequin, and human avatars were presented and participants' interpersonal distance was investigated. The results showed that participants tended to increase their interpersonal distance as the number of avatars increased. And there was no significant difference in distance between the different types of avatars. In Experiment 2, one to five interviewer objects were presented in a VR conference room to measure the interpersonal distance and psychological load level that participants considered appropriate. The results showed that there was no increase in appropriate distance whether there were one or two interviewers, and that the psychological load was lower with one interviewer than with two. The results suggest that one interviewer is appropriate for counseling, while two interviewers are appropriate for interview practice. This study suggested optimal values for the distance between the interviewer and the interviewee and the number of interviewees participating in the VR interview environment by measuring personal space while measuring the effect of the avatar and number of interviewees on the psychological load level of the participants.Clinical Relevance- Prolonged hospitalization in intensive care units (ICUs) causes rehabilitation difficulties and communication barriers for patients. Creating a interactive rehabilitation environment using VR is expected to contribute to situations where patients with PTSD and trauma are provided with opportunities to gradually learn how to interact with others, as well as to situations where patients with stroke and physical disabilities are rehabilitated in spatial cognition. The distance between the interviewer and the interviewee during an interview affects the smoothness of communication. This study provided insight into the optimal distance between interviewer and interviewee in VR interviews, depending on the number of interviewees participating.