The sense of presence: lessons from virtual reality

• DOI: 10.1080/2153599x.2021.1953573
• Publication Date: 2021-07-26T16:31:42Z
• Authors: Cordelia Erickson...; Tanya M. Luhrmann; Lianne M. Kurina; Kara Weisman; Naomi Cornman; Anna Corwin; Jeremy Bailenson
• Keywords: Sense of presence; Representation; Phenomenon; Social reality; Sense of Place; Common sense

The sense of presence—or the "being there"—is a poorly understood phenomenon, especially in case "unseen others," e.g., God. We used tools virtual reality (VR) to explore effects active imagination creating presence an ambiguously real other. found that adding visual representation was more effective than verbal language alone evoking social ten-minute intervention, proclivity for absorption enhanced and environmental presence, associated with responsive interaction. present our data together critical analysis literature on perceptual conclude by suggesting is best as product collaboration between perceiving subject environment within which they are embedded. This study serves example novel approach bridges different scientific literatures, methods, disciplines religious experience.