Authors

• de Villiers Bosman, Isak (Tampere University)

Keywords

acoustics, attendance, cognitive processes, knowledge (awareness), perception, psychological tests

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate what the effects are of different auditory and visual perspectives on psychological constructs related to mindfulness in virtual reality environments. The study was carried out at Tampere University where the participants took part in virtual reality experiences.

First, participants completed two questionnaires before participating in the virtual reality experiences. The first questionnaire examined the participants' awareness and attentive features in the present using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). The second questionnaire investigated participants' immersion in different media using the Immersive Tendencies Questionnaire (ITQ).

Then, the participants participated in three different mindfulness exercises in virtual reality environment, which each had a different audio-visual perspective. The participants completed two questionnaires after each experience. The first questionnaire to be completed after the experience was designed to measure the connection between the participants' body and mind through a series of statements, using the Embodied Mindfulness Questionnaire (EMQ). In turn, the second questionnaire was designed to explore the experience of embodiment in virtual reality environment and how participants perceive the virtual body as part of themselves using the Virtual Embodiment Questionnaire (VEQ).

The background variables included age, gender and level of education.