Evoking positive emotions by the use of virtual reality in relation to technique acceptance
This study examines the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in evoking positive emotions in relation to technique acceptance. Past literature showed VR to effectively induce positive emotions. Technique acceptance is claimed to hypothetically have an impact on the effectiveness of VR. Following a between subject pre post measure design, 80 participants were allocated randomly over control and experimental condition. All respondents filled in questionnaires to measure emotional affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule) and technique acceptance (Technology Usage Inventory) The participants in the experimental condition received a VR exercise in a virtual beach environment while the control condition received a guided meditation. The results showed that the VR device was not significantly more effective in evoking positive emotions than the guided meditation. In contrast, it was found that the positive emotions significantly reduced during the interventions. Moreover, Technology anxiety was significantly reduced after the usage of VR. Finally, the effectiveness of VR on evoking positive emotions was not moderated by technique acceptance. Thus, technique acceptance had no influence on the effectiveness of VR interventions on inducing positive emotions. This study had some limitations such as technological boundaries, which could interrupt the implementation of positive emotions. Because this study was one of few control studies examining the effectiveness of VR on evoking positive affect, there is a need for further investigations.