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Thesis
Sensory immersion: Exploring the effects of adding olfactory stimuli on mood, memory, and stress in virtual reality experiences
University of West Florida Libraries
Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida
2023
Abstract
This study examines how adding scents to a virtual reality environment impacts immersion, stress levels, and mood. The study recruited 40 participants aged 18-44 with varying levels of virtual reality (VR) technology experience. Participants were randomly assigned to either the control (no scent), congruent (i.e., scents that match the visual scene), or incongruent scent conditions. Participants were assessed on changes to mood, stress levels, and immersion, as well as performance on a memory recognition task. Scents were chosen to be pleasant, neutral, and salient but not overbearing. Results suggest that while the VR experience significantly reduced stress and lifted mood, the scent did not significantly affect memory performance or immersion in the VR experience. The discussion includes recommendations for improving the study's design. Some future directions for this research, in addition to meditation and mindfulness applications, could explore the use of scent to close the gender gap in VR technology or to engage participants more fully in exposure therapies.
Details
- Title
- Sensory immersion
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Contributors
- Steven J Kass (Committee Chair)Lisa D Blalock (Committee Member)
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries
- Format
- pdf
- Number of pages
- 61
- Copyright
- Permission granted to the University of West Florida Libraries by the author to digitize and/or display this information for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires the permission of the copyright holder.
- Identifiers
- 99380461596406600
- Academic Unit
- Usha Kundu, MD College of Health
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Arts (MA)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida