title: The Immersive Virtual Reality Experience: A Typology of Users Revealed Through Multiple Correspondence Analysis Combined with Cluster Analysis Technique.
abstract: Immersive virtual reality is thought to be advantageous by leading to higher levels of presence. However, and despite users getting actively involved in immersive three-dimensional virtual environments that incorporate sound and motion, there are individual factors, such as age, video game knowledge, and the predisposition to immersion, that may be associated with the quality of virtual reality experience. Moreover, one particular concern for users engaged in immersive virtual reality environments (VREs) is the possibility of side effects, such as cybersickness. The literature suggests that at least 60% of virtual reality users report having felt symptoms of cybersickness, which reduces the quality of the virtual reality experience. The aim of this study was thus to profile the right user to be involved in a VRE through head-mounted display. To examine which user characteristics are associated with the most effective virtual reality experience (lower cybersickness), a multiple correspondence analysis combined with cluster analysis technique was performed. Results revealed three distinct profiles, showing that the PC gamer profile is more associated with higher levels of virtual reality effectiveness, that is, higher predisposition to be immersed and reduced cybersickness symptoms in the VRE than console gamer and nongamer. These findings can be a useful orientation in clinical practice and future research as they help identify which users are more predisposed to benefit from immersive VREs.
authors.affiliation: 1 COPELABS, Lusophone University , Lisbon, Portugal .|2 School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Lusophone University , Lisbon, Portugal .|3 Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL) , Cis-IUL, Lisbon, Portugal .|4 Centro de Investigação de Psicologia do ISMAT , Portimão, Portugal .|5 GIINCO-Grupo Internacional de Investigación Neuro-Conductual , Barranquilla, Colombia .
authors.forename: Pedro J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.affiliation: 1 COPELABS, Lusophone University , Lisbon, Portugal .|2 School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Lusophone University , Lisbon, Portugal .
authors.forename: Diogo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.affiliation: 1 COPELABS, Lusophone University , Lisbon, Portugal .|2 School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Lusophone University , Lisbon, Portugal .|6 School of Communication, Architecture, Arts and Information Technology, Lusophone University , Lisbon, Portugal .
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gamito
authors.affiliation: 1 COPELABS, Lusophone University , Lisbon, Portugal .|2 School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Lusophone University , Lisbon, Portugal .
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: 6 School of Communication, Architecture, Arts and Information Technology, Lusophone University , Lisbon, Portugal .
authors.forename: Tomaz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saraiva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult