Sense of presence on Image based Virtual Reality determines user´s mental imagery

Non-interactive or low interactive media such as radio can become highly immersive and realistic, engendering a compelling sense of presence for the participant. An example of low interactive technology is a simple Image-based Virtual Reality (IBVR) environment which has no perceptual characteristics of the interaction with haptic sensations which can provide high user´s presence. Therefore, the study investigates whether IBVR environment can elicit user´s presence even without computer animation? Furthermore, the three pole model of presence”, “mental imagery space” is discussed in this study. One hundred participants were involved in the study. Established Presence Questionnaires (PQ) was used to critically appraise the study. The result is discussed in qualitative analysis. As predicted, user´s imagery exists as the effect of user´s presence in IBVR environment. Results also suggest that the users interact with the IBVR environment through non-symbolic systems, such as the perceptual and the motor system which is similar with the three pole model of presence. Furthermore, this study has important implications for both our understanding of sense of presence exists in IBVR environment even without animation or haptic sensation.