A Mini Review of Presence and Immersion in Virtual Reality

Virtual reality technology is constantly improving such that a virtual environment is more like a physical one. However, some research evidence suggest that certain virtual reality scenarios are less real than others to human observers (e.g., experience of falling from a high place) leading to potential limitations of using virtual reality as a research tool for certain tasks. Moreover, since the inception of VR research the terms presence and immersion have been somewhat convoluted and at times, even used interchangeably. Using a thematic content analysis based on seventeen articles, a theme for each term emerged. Presence is an experiential quality in virtual environments and immersion is associated with the technical aspects of a virtual system that aide the user in feeling a sense of presence. Several new technologies, as well as more traditional approaches are discussed as potential methods to improve of immersion, and therefore presence, in virtual reality.