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The Effects of Virtualization on Connectedness, Presence, and Immersion: A Mixed-Methods Comparison of Real, Mixed, and Virtual Environments

Authors:
Niklas Groffner

Keywords: Extended Reality; Presence; Immersion; Connectedness.

Abstract:
Virtual environments are increasingly integrated into diverse domains, redefining how individuals perceive and interact with their surroundings. These environments hold significant potential particularly through to influence human experiences, the dimensions of presence, connectedness, and immersion. Understanding these concepts is essential for optimizing the design and application of virtual systems in education, healthcare, and other societal contexts. This research examines the impact of virtualization on the perception of presence, connectedness, and immersion by comparing real-world, mixed, and fully virtual environments using a mixed-methods approach. The qualitative analysis engaged 5 participants exploring object interactions across real, MR, and VR settings, while the quantitative analysis, involving 31 participants, assessed introductory games specifically in MR and VR scenarios. Results indicate that connectedness is strongest in real-world scenarios, diminishing with increased virtualization, while immersion and presence show no significant variance across environments. The lack of physical feedback and reduced sensory stimuli in VR and MR environments were primary contributors to these differences. The findings underscore the necessity of real interactions in education and healthcare, suggesting consumer protection measures for Virtual and Mixed Reality environments.

Pages: 38 to 47

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2025

Publication date: April 6, 2025

Published in: conference

ISBN: 978-1-68558-266-1

Location: Valencia, Spain

Dates: from April 6, 2025 to April 10, 2025