Virtual Reality in Psychology and Experiments

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Virtual reality (VR) is a term used to describe a 3D, computer generated environment. In this environment, participants can explore areas, create new objects, and manipulate their surroundings. This environment is often viewed through a VR headset that wraps around the participants head and has goggles in which they see the environment through. Virtual reality is often confused with augmented reality (AR). Augmented reality is a framework based on our world where objects, images, and things are placed. Participants don't always need to wear headsets in AR. An example of an AR mobile app is Pokemon Go. Additionally, mixed reality (MR) is a combination of VR and AR where virtual things are placed in an augmented reality. Mixed reality can make the virtual world indistinguishable from the real world.

Virtual reality can be used for entertainment, communication, learning, therapy, experimentation, and much more. Advancements in VR technology have lead to patients being able to have therapy sessions in any environment without being in real life. This can also be translated to experiments that may be unethical or implausible to run in reality.

VR helping patient overcome fear of spiders

History

The development of VR technology started around the 1950-60's with the Sensorama. This gave users a multi-sensory experience. Throughout the 1960's headsets were created with the advancements of tracking motion and working with computer interfaces. VR was formally conceptualized in 1989, and throughout the 1990's and early 2000's, VR started to be used for psychiatric purposes. Psychiatrists used VR for exposure theory, and studies were conducted to determine if virtual reality exposure therapy (VRE) worked better than traditional therapy. The first study of VRE was focused on the treatment of acrophobia, the extreme fear of heights.

Treatments

VR