Decision making in a stressful VR environment

Master thesis (2022)

Authors

E.T.H. Wong Technology, Policy and Management

Contributors

I. Lefter System Engineering - TPM (mentor)
L. Rook Economics of Technology and Innovation - TPM (mentor)
F.M. Brazier System Engineering - TPM (mentor)
Faculty
Technology, Policy and Management, Technology, Policy and Management
Copyright: © 2022 Eric Wong
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Published Date

18-01-2022

Language

English

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Faculty

Technology, Policy and Management

Abstract

In this research the influence of induced stress with a virtual reality (VR) game on moral dilemmas was investigated. VR is a topic that is becoming more and more researched, but studies about the induction of stress and the effects are scarce. By placing participants in a VR environment, where they have to defuse a bomb with the help of another participant, the influence could be analysed. A test group was selected which would perform relaxation exercises after the VR game to relax them. Afterwards, they filled in a survey which measured their stress/anxiety level and gave them social dilemmas to answer. During the whole experiment, participants wore wristbands that measured their biometric data to see if there were any physical signs of stress.

From the data it was confirmed that the VR induced stress in the participants. The data for heart rate, electrodermal activity, and heart rate variability showed an increase in stress level during the VR; Temperature did not show a difference. From the linear regression analysis done, no significant influence of stress on responses to moral dilemmas and a significant influence of personality type was confirmed.

The possibilities of VR in the field of psychology has the potential to improve research regarding stress. VR can be used as a coping method but also as a stress inducing activity. Future research should focus on discovering new possibilities for VR to be used. By improving the research about stress, an improvement of our lifes will follow.