Death, VR, and the Paranoia Pub

This session will demonstrate what happens when the worlds of psychology research and immersive storytelling collide – how psychology can inform development of new immersive technologies, such augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), as well as how immersive experiences can change people’s minds. For example, we’ll explain how and why The Green Planet Augmented Reality Experience encouraged visitors to be more sustainably minded.

Many people experience thoughts that others are out to get them - however, it is difficult to determine if these thoughts are accurate reflections of reality. Advances in technology provide a way to determine the legitimacy of these beliefs. We used eye tracking technology in a virtual reality pub environment to see if our eyes really can give us away!

Are we afraid of death? Many of us would probably say no. Terror Management Theory argues that we do, but that our fear of death is managed by seeing ourselves as valuable contributors in a meaningful universe in the pursuit of acquiring literal (e.g., afterlife) or symbolic (e.g., legacies, children) immortality. This talk will provide evidence for these claims and consider its implications for society.