Examining Elements of Our Environment Using Virtual Reality
Our surroundings, whether natural landscapes, interior spaces, or soundscapes, play a powerful role in shaping how we feel, and how we behave. Across different research fields, we often study specific elements of these environments, such as interior design, forest bathing, or window views. However, it is not always possible to study these factors in real-world settings, where conditions can be difficult to control.
To overcome this challenge, we use Virtual Reality (VR) to create highly realistic environments that participants can explore in a regulated and immersive way. These artificial environments permit us to manipulate specific features—like adding plants, changing the furniture design, or isolating visual from auditory stimuli—while keeping everything else constant.
In our research, participants complete cognitive tasks or engage in creative problem-solving while inside these virtual spaces. This enables us to investigate how different aspects of the environment influence cognitive performance, creativity, and general preferences. For example, does the presence of natural elements like plants influence cognitive performance? Do different cloud types have an effect on creativity? And do we have a preference for contour and style in the design of living rooms?
To gain deeper insights, we also combine VR exposure with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)—a non-invasive method that measures brain activity with light—to study how the brain responds to different environmental features in real time. In addition, eye tracking helps us understand how people visually explore their surroundings: what draws their attention, how long they focus on certain objects, and how their gaze patterns differ across environments.
Looking ahead, we are excited to integrate VR with our wavefield synthesis lab, a system that can reproduce spatially accurate, immersive soundscapes. This will allow us to study not just visual design, but also how soundscapes such as ocean waves, birdsong, or urban noise affect our experience and cognition.
In combining cutting-edge technologies with psychological research, we aim to understand how specific environmental features shape our cognitive performance and behavior—knowledge that can ultimately support the design of healthier, more engaging, and more inspiring spaces.
Literature
Mostajeran, F., Steinicke, F., Reinhart, S., Stuerzlinger, W., Riecke, B. E., & Kühn, S. (2023). Adding virtual plants leads to higher cognitive performance and psychological well-being in virtual reality. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 8053.
Tawil, N., Sztuka, I. M., Pohlmann, K., Sudimac, S., & Kühn, S. (2021). The living space: psychological well-being and mental health in response to interiors presented in virtual reality. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(23), 12510.