Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
06:28
A Networked Desktop Virtual Reality Setup for Decision Science and Navigation Experiments with Multiple Participants
Published on: August 26, 2018
From technology to interaction: How ritual interaction drives participation intention in immersive digital
Dong Lu1, Hao Peng1, Tian Wang1
1School of Economics and Management, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China.
Iscience
|June 3, 2026
Summary
Structured interactions in immersive technologies significantly boost user engagement by enhancing immersion and presence. This research highlights how ritual interaction, not just realism, drives sustained participation in virtual and augmented reality experiences.
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
- Mediated Social Behavior
- Immersive Technologies (AR, VR, MR)
Background:
- Current immersive technologies (AR, VR, MR) face challenges in maintaining user participation.
- Existing research prioritizes technological realism over interactional structure's role in motivation and meaning-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and examine the impact of Ritual Interaction (RI) on participation intention in immersive environments.
- To explore the psychological pathways (immersion, presence) through which RI influences participation.
- To investigate the moderating role of experience type (culture-based vs. nature-based).
Main Methods:
- Utilized Interaction Ritual Chains (IRC) theory to define Ritual Interaction (RI).
- Employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for data analysis.
- Examined the sequential psychological process linking RI, immersion, presence, and participation intention.
Main Results:
- Ritual Interaction (RI) positively influences participation intention through enhanced immersion and presence.
- Immersion acts as a more immediate psychological mediator than presence.
- The effect of RI on immersion is stronger in culture-based immersive environments compared to nature-based ones.
Conclusions:
- Focusing on structured interaction, rather than solely technological features, is key to motivating user participation in immersive systems.
- Ritual Interaction (RI) provides a novel framework for designing engaging digital experiences.
- Findings contribute to HCI and mediated social behavior research by emphasizing interactional design principles.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Social Foundations of Self IV: Self in Digital Communication
Since the early 2000s, computer-mediated communication (CMC) has grown rapidly, playing a crucial role in self-development. A key distinction between CMC and real-life interactions is the lack of a physically present partner. This absence makes non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and paralinguistic signals unavailable in CMC platforms like email, instant messaging, or social media. The lack of these cues can create ambiguity and complicate how feedback is interpreted.The...
00:57Deindividuation
Deindividuation is a form of social influence on an individual’s behavior such that the individual engages in unusual or non-normal behavior while in a group setting. Why? Because in these group settings, the individual no longer sees themselves as an individual anymore, disinhibiting their behavior and personal restraint.
02:10Social Scripts
People tend to know what behavior is expected of them in specific, familiar settings. A script is a person’s knowledge about the sequence of events expected in a specific setting (Schank & Abelson, 1977). Essentially, scripts are a particular kind of schema, one containing default values for the features within an event. In the restaurant example, the script's features include the props (e.g., tables, menu, food, and money), the roles to be played (e.g., customer and waiter), the opening...
01:28Factors Influencing Attraction IV: Reciprocity
Reciprocity in attraction is fundamental to social and romantic relationships, shaping how individuals form and maintain connections. The psychological principle underlying this phenomenon is that people tend to like those who express liking toward them. Balance theory supports this tendency, suggesting that mutual attraction fosters psychological harmony, whereas one-sided affection leads to discomfort and cognitive dissonance.The Psychological Mechanisms Behind ReciprocityWhen individuals...
01:22Factors Influencing Attraction I: Proximity
Proximity plays a fundamental role in shaping interpersonal attraction by increasing opportunities for interaction and fostering familiarity. Research consistently demonstrates that individuals are more likely to form social bonds with those who are physically closer to them, whether in residential settings, workplaces, or educational institutions. This effect is largely driven by the increased frequency of encounters, which facilitates the development of friendships and romantic...
01:24Social Foundations of Self I: Play and Game
The development of self in children is deeply rooted in social interactions, mainly through stages of play and structured games. These stages, outlined by sociologist George Herbert Mead, illustrate how children progressively learn to understand and adopt social roles, forming a cohesive sense of self.The Play Stage: Imitation and Simple Role-TakingIn the early years of childhood, the play stage is characterized by imitative behavior, where children engage in role-playing based on familiar...