The Role of Emotional Involvement and Trait Absorption in the Formation of Spatial Presence

Abstract

This study (N = 111) sought to assess the roles of emotional involvement and trait absorption in the formation process of spatial presence in a virtual environment. A 2 × 2 between-subjects design was employed with emotional involvement (low vs. high) as an experimental factor and trait absorption (low vs. high) as a quasi-experimental factor. The results indicate that both emotional involvement and trait absorption contribute to the formation of spatial presence. Furthermore, a positive interaction effect between emotional involvement and trait absorption on spatial presence was found. When controlling for other well-known contributing factors (cognitive involvement, the spatial situational model, and suspension of disbelief), the effects of emotional involvement and trait absorption remain stable. Regarding presence as a broad construct, these other factors are often conceptualized as part of the presence experience. Treating them instead as contributing factors and, thus, applying a narrow conceptualization of spatial presence, provides a clear insight of its formation process.

Notes

1. It is also possible that presence results in increased emotional or even phobic reactions (Carlin, Hoffman, & Weghorst, 1997; Krijn, Emmelkamp, Olafsson, & Biemond, 2004). It is argued that virtual experiences can evoke the same reactions as real experiences (cf. Schuemi, van der Straaten, Krijn, & van der Mast, 2001). Finally, it is conceivable that there is a reciprocal or bidirectional relationship between both concepts. Thus, emotions can enhance the formation of a feeling of presence. Similarly, presence can prompt the experience of emotions.

2. The distribution of gender is unbalanced; however, the results do not change when controlling for gender.

3. Emotional tone may be defined as the property of a media message (cf. Bolls, Lang, & Potter, 2001).

4. Note that we have tested the effects of trait absorption and the experimental manipulation on the three covariates (spatial situational model, suspension of disbelief, cognitive involvement). No effects were found. Thus, it is legitimate to enter these three variables as covariates.