Within realistic simulated environments, health psychologists can record a variety of health-oriented choices and behaviors such as research participants’ treatment adherence, alcohol choice and unhealthy food selection. Evidence is mounting that health behaviors in VR are similar to those made in the real world

Syracuse University

VR can immerse participants in realistic simulations of real-world environments to investigate health behaviors (environments meant to trigger cravings for drugs, alcohol or nicotine). These simulations that evoke feelings (addiction cravings) can be valuable aid in research & evaluating the efficacy of experimental treatments and interventions. VR can be adapted to simulate the consequences of unhealthy behaviors using body illusions, wherein the users’ own physical appearance or abilities have changed in response to their health behaviors.



VR as a stimulus for studying health behaviors

Martingano, A. J., & Persky, S. (2021). Virtual reality expands the toolkit for conducting health psychology research. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 15(7). https://doi-org.libezproxy2.syr.edu/10.1111/spc3.12606

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