Journalism and Mass Communications, College of
ORCID IDs
ORCID Adam Wagler http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2333-6036
Date of this Version
Fall 10-5-2018
Citation
Adam Wagler & Michael D. Hanus (2018) Comparing Virtual Reality Tourism to Real-Life Experience: Effects of Presence and Engagement on Attitude and Enjoyment, Communication Research Reports, 35:5, 456-464, DOI: 10.1080/08824096.2018.1525350
Abstract
With the advent of 360-degree video technology, Virtual reality (VR) headsets can take users to locations in the real world. Despite the increasing number of virtual tourism opportunities using digital VR technology, little research has assessed the effective realism of 360-degree video tourism. This study took users on a guided audio tour of a state Capitol building. Users either took the tour via two-dimensional (2-D) video, immersive 360-degree video using a VR headset, or physically went to the location and walked around the grounds. Users were measured on spatial presence, emotional engagement with the tour, sponsor liking, and tour outreach intentions. Results indicate that users in the two-dimensional viewing condition scored low on all measures relative to the other conditions but that individuals in the physically present and 360-degree video condition had no differences between them. This suggests that 360-degree video tourism may be a strong analogue to a real-world experience.
Included in
Broadcast and Video Studies Commons, Communication Technology and New Media Commons, Journalism Studies Commons, Mass Communication Commons, Public Relations and Advertising Commons, Social Influence and Political Communication Commons
Comments
Copyright © 2018 Eastern Communication Association; published by Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group. Used by permission.