Virtual Reality of Nature Can Be as Effective as Actual Nature in Promoting Ecological Behavior

Deringer, S. Anthony; Hanley, Adam W.

doi:10.1089/eco.2020.0044

Cited by 17 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The present study advances our understanding of the neurophysiological mechanism involved in processing continuous speech under realistically noisy conditions. Use a novel VR classroom platform, we were able to emulate the type of speech and noise stimuli, the task demands and the perceptual complexity of real-life situations, enhancing the ecological validity cognitive neuroscientific research (Deringer & Hanley, 2021; Parsons, 2015; Risko et al, 2016). Our findings demonstrate the multifaceted effects of realistic background noise on listeners, affecting behavior, neural activity, and physiological responses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In most studies, the speech stimuli consist of single syllables/words or simple sentences, tasks consist of word-by-word recognition, and the noises used are artificial and highly controlled in their spectro-temporal properties (Buss et al, 2003(Buss et al, , 2004Cooke, 2006;Fogerty et al, 2018;Howard-Jones & we used long segments of continuous speech presented in a realistic audiovisual context, we tested its overall comprehension rather than word-for-word recognition, and used naturally-recorded construction noise that is less controlled and perhaps more abrasive its acoustic properties than the modulated noises used in glimpsing studies (Fogerty et al, 2018). These design choices are part of our attempt to study speech processing in noise under more ecologically-relevant contexts (Brown et al, 2023;Deringer & Hanley, 2021;Parsons, 2015;Risko et al, 2016;Shavit-Cohen & Zion Golumbic, 2019). However, they also probably account for the discrepancies in findings relative to more traditional psychoacoustic experiments, and raise the possibility that while the glimpsing model may hold true for local perception of speech-elements, intermittent noise remains highly disruptive and incurs high cognitive costs when attempting to focus ones' attention on continuous speech for long periods of time.…”

Section: Why Is Intermittent Noise More Disruptive?mentioning

confidence: 99%

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An ecological investigation of the effect of background noise on speech processing in a Virtual Classroom

Levy,

Korisky,

Zvilichovsky

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Many real-life situations can be extremely noisy. Psychoacoustic studies have shown that background noise can have a detrimental effect on the ability to process and understand speech. However, most studies use stimuli and task designs that are highly artificial, limiting their generalization to more realistic contexts. Moreover, to date, we do not fully understand the neurophysiological consequences of trying to pay attention to speech in a noisy place.To address this lab to real-life gap and increase the ecological validity of speech in noise research, here we introduce a novel audiovisual Virtual Reality (VR) experimental platform. Combined with neurophysiological measurements of neural activity (EEG), eye-gaze and skin conductance (GSR) we studied the effects of background noise in a realistic context where the ability to process and understand continuous speech is especially important: A VR Classroom.Participants (n=32) sat in a VR Classroom and were told to pay attention to mini-lecture segments by a virtual teacher. Trials were either Quiet or contained background construction noise, emitted from outside the classroom window, which was either Continuous (drilling) or Intermittent (air hammers).Result show that background noise had a detrimental effect on learning outcomes, which was also accompanied by reduced neural tracking of the teacher’s speech. Comparison of the two noise types showed that the intermittent construction noise was more disruptive than continuous noise, as index by both behavioral and neural measures, and it also elicited higher skin-conductance levels, reflecting heightened arousal. Interesting, eye-gaze dynamics were not affected by the presence of noise.This study advances our understanding of the neurophysiological effects of background noise and extends it to more ecologically relevant contexts. It also emphasizes the role that temporal dynamics play for processing speech in noise, highlighting the need to consider the features of realistic noises, as we expand speech in noise research to increasingly realistic circumstances.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Why Is Intermittent Noise More Disruptive?mentioning

confidence: 99%

An ecological investigation of the effect of background noise on speech processing in a Virtual Classroom

Levy,

Korisky,

Zvilichovsky

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…The measurements that were used in this study were limited to attitudes toward climate change and towards the environment. When using VR as a persuasive tool to counteract climate change, it would be promising for future research to also measure real (or at least hypothetical) pro-environmental behaviour (Deringer and Hanley, 2021). Moreover, future VR experiences could be more interactive and may for example allow participants to learn more about actions they can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pro-environmental behaviour.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increasing awareness of climate change with immersive virtual reality

Thoma

Hartmann²,

Christen³

et al. 2023

Front. Virtual Real.

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Previous research has shown that immersive virtual reality (VR) is a suitable tool for visualizing the consequences of climate change. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether visualization in VR has a stronger influence on climate change awareness and environmental attitudes compared to traditional media. Furthermore, it was examined how realistic a VR experience has to be in order to have an effect. The VR experience consisted of a model of the Aletsch glacier (Switzerland) melting over the course of 220 years. Explicit measurements (new environmental paradigm NEP, climate change scepticism, and nature relatedness) and an implicit measurement (implicit association test) were collected before and after the VR intervention and compared to three different non-VR control conditions (video, images with text, and plain text). In addition, the VR environment was varied in terms of degrees of realism and sophistication (3 conditions: abstract visualization, less sophisticated realistic visualization, more sophisticated realistic visualization). The six experimental conditions (3 VR conditions, three control conditions) were modeled as mixed effects, with VR versus control used as a fixed effect in a mixed effects modeling framework. Across all six conditions, environmental awareness (NEP) was higher after the participants (N = 142) had been confronted with the glacier melting, while no differences were found for nature relatedness and climate change scepticism before and after the interventions. There was no significant difference between VR and control conditions for any of the four measurements. Nevertheless, contrast analyses revealed that environmental awareness increased significantly only for the VR but not for the control conditions, suggesting that VR is more likely to lead to attitude change. Our results show that exposure to VR environments successfully increased environmental awareness independently of the design choices, suggesting that even abstract and less sophisticated VR environment designs may be sufficient to increase pro-environmental attitudes.

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“…In addition to demographic characteristics such as age, sex, and education, the current study incorporates connections to nature and technology, as well as life experiences. The aspect of connection to nature includes nature connectedness [86,101,102], attitudes towards green spaces [103], landscape familiarity [75], nature experiences, and frequency of visiting nature [86,94,104]. The aspects of connection to technology, that is, familiarity with computers and VR, include VR experiences [50,56,67,93,100,105], gaming experiences [54], and knowledge of VR [106].…”

Section: Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complementarity with Real Forests: A Conceptual Framework and Narrative Review of Multidimensional Effects in Virtual Forests

Jia,

Xu,

et al. 2023

Forests

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Numerous studies have confirmed the positive impacts of real forests in areas such as stress relief. However, not everyone can visit forests easily. Virtual technologies offer new ways of experiencing forests for people who are hindered by real-life conditions and provide researchers with a manageable mode of study. Recently, there has been an influx of relevant research; however, themes within the overall perspective of the field remain unclear. This study aimed to review the literature and provide an overview of the potential health benefits of virtual forests. Research themes were extracted, and a conceptual framework for the multidimensional effects of virtual forest exposure was proposed from a holistic perspective. We analyzed studies using descriptive analytical methods through the Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases and snowball searches. In total, 58 studies were included. This review identified four themes and segments throughout the virtual forest exposure process: core elements, experiences, effects, and circulation. We propose a new conceptual framework for a holistic perspective that incorporates technological features that are specific to virtual environments and makes connections to real forests. Finally, perspectives for future research in virtual forest therapy and its practical implications are discussed.

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Virtual Reality of Nature Can Be as Effective as Actual Nature in Promoting Ecological Behavior

Cited by 17 publications

References 32 publications

An ecological investigation of the effect of background noise on speech processing in a Virtual Classroom

An ecological investigation of the effect of background noise on speech processing in a Virtual Classroom

Increasing awareness of climate change with immersive virtual reality

Complementarity with Real Forests: A Conceptual Framework and Narrative Review of Multidimensional Effects in Virtual Forests

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