Sense of presence in a VR-based study on behavioral compliance with warnings

Abstract

Recent researches suggest that Virtual Reality (VR) is amongst the best tools for examining behavioral compliance with warnings, therefore overcoming some ethical and methodological constrains that have been limiting this type of research. Yet, such evaluation using VR requires both usable and engaging virtual environments (VEs). This study examines the sense of presence experienced by the participants after having been immersed in a VE designed for evaluating the effect of sign type (static vs. dynamic) on compliance. The VR simulation tested here allowed participants to perform a realistic work-related task and an emergency egress, during which they were supposed to interact with warnings and exit signs. A neutral condition (i.e., no/minimal signs) was used as a control condition. Subjective and objective data were gathered from two sources, respectively, i.e., a post-hoc questionnaire administered to the participants, and a video analysis of the participants' interaction behavior during the VR simulation. Results reveal high levels of presence across the three experimental conditions. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.