Description: Psychological immersion refers to the deep mental engagement and emotional connection that a user experiences when interacting with a virtual environment. This phenomenon occurs when the visual, auditory, and tactile elements of virtual reality capture the user’s attention to such an extent that they feel completely absorbed in the experience. Psychological immersion involves not only sensory perception but also the user’s ability to suspend disbelief and accept the simulated reality as valid. This state of immersion can provoke intense emotional responses, such as fear, joy, or surprise, depending on the context of the virtual environment. The quality of immersion is influenced by various factors, including graphical quality, interactivity, and the narrative of the virtual environment. As technology advances, psychological immersion becomes a crucial aspect for developing more realistic and engaging experiences, making it relevant in fields such as gaming, education, therapy, and other interactive media. In summary, psychological immersion is an essential component that transforms interaction with virtual environments into meaningful and memorable experiences.
History: Psychological immersion in virtual environments began to take shape in the 1960s with the development of early virtual reality systems, such as the Sensorama and Ivan Sutherland’s virtual reality system. Over the years, technology has evolved, and in the 1990s, virtual reality began to be used in commercial and entertainment applications. However, it was in the 2010s that psychological immersion became a focal point, thanks to the arrival of devices like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, which offered more immersive and accessible experiences.
Uses: Psychological immersion is used in various applications, including video games, training simulations, education, psychological therapy, and virtual tourism. In video games, the goal is to create immersive worlds that keep the player engaged. In education, it is used to simulate interactive learning environments. In therapy, it is employed to treat phobias and anxiety disorders through controlled exposure to feared situations. Virtual tourism allows users to explore distant places without leaving home.
Examples: An example of psychological immersion can be seen in the video game ‘Half-Life: Alyx’, where players experience a highly interactive and immersive virtual reality environment. Another case is the use of flight simulators in pilot training, where psychological immersion is crucial for replicating the flying experience. In the therapeutic field, virtual environments are used to help patients confront their fears, such as in the treatment of acrophobia through height simulations.
