Virtual Reality for Research in Social Neuroscience

• DOI: 10.3390/brainsci7040042
• Publication Date: 2017-04-18T15:22:04Z
• Authors: Thomas Parsons; Andrea Gaggioli; Giuseppe Riva
• Keywords: Presentation (obstetrics); Social cue

The emergence of social neuroscience has significantly advanced our understanding the relationship that exists between processes and their neurobiological underpinnings. Social research often involves use simple static stimuli lacking many potentially important aspects real world activities interactions. Whilst this merit, there is a growing interest in presentation dynamic manner allows researchers to assess integrative carried out by perceivers over time. Herein, we discuss potential virtual reality for enhancing ecological validity while maintaining experimental control research. Virtual technology creation fully interactive, three-dimensional computerized models situations can be controlled experimenter. Furthermore, introduction interactive characters-either driven human or computer-allows researcher test, systematic independent manner, effects various cues. We first introduce key technical features concepts related reality. Next, protocols, drawing on illustrative experiments from literature.