Short answer

When designing virtual experiences for assessment or training, aim for high immersion and satisfaction, but be mindful that individual differences in embodiment may require adaptive design strategies or further research into user-specific factors.

Field: Human Factors
Source: Sensors (2025)
Method: Mixed-method approach
Sample: 99 participants
Evidence: Moderate effect

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) with virtual humans (VHs) can significantly boost user immersion and satisfaction in psychological testing, though individual experiences of embodiment can differ. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Sensors. Using Mixed-method approach with 99 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing virtual experiences for assessment or training, aim for high immersion and satisfaction, but be mindful that individual differences in embodiment may require adaptive design strategies or further research into user-specific factors.

Study

Human FactorsNew This WeekModerate effect

Virtual humans in immersive VR enhance psychological assessment engagement, but embodiment varies.

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) with virtual humans (VHs) can significantly boost user immersion and satisfaction in psychological testing, though individual experiences of embodiment can differ.

Sensors · 2025

Key Findings

01Participants reported high levels of immersion in the IVR environment.
02Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the IVR-based assessment.
03The sense of embodiment varied significantly among participants.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

In developing VR-based training or assessment tools, incorporate elements that enhance the feeling of presence and agency within the virtual environment, and consider user feedback mechanisms to gauge and potentially adjust embodiment levels.

Project actions

01When designing a VR experience, think about how to make the user feel like they are really there.
02Consider how different people might react to virtual characters and try to make them feel as real as possible.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the advantages and disadvantages of integrating IVR-based role-playing with virtual humans into psychological testing and assessment, specifically concerning user immersion, embodiment, and satisfaction?

MethodMixed-method approach

ProcedureParticipants engaged in role-playing scenarios within an IVR environment designed for empathy assessment (EmpathyVR). Data on immersion, embodiment, and satisfaction were collected through a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures.

Sample99 participants

ContextPsychological testing and assessment, specifically empathy-related evaluations, using immersive virtual reality.

Variables

IV["Use of IVR with VHs for psychological assessment","Design of EmpathyVR"]

DV["User immersion","User embodiment","User satisfaction"]

CV["Participant demographic (Korean adolescents)","Type of assessment (empathy-related)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Utilizes a mixed-method approach for comprehensive data collection.
+Focuses on a novel application of IVR in psychological assessment.

Limitations

The study's findings might not apply to all age groups or cultures. The specific technology used might also influence the results.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliability could be enhanced by replicating the experiment with a larger and more diverse sample. Validity is supported by the mixed-methods approach, which captures both subjective experiences and quantitative measures.

Think critically

How might the design of the virtual human's appearance, movement, and responsiveness influence an individual's sense of embodiment in an immersive VR experience?

Design Principles

"Maximize user immersion and satisfaction in virtual environments, while acknowledging and addressing potential variability in user embodiment."

This research indicates that while IVR offers a powerful new medium for engaging users in psychological assessments, designers must consider the variability in how individuals connect with virtual representations. Understanding and optimizing the sense of embodiment is crucial for consistent and effective assessment outcomes.

What This Means for Your Design

Using virtual people in virtual reality games for testing can make people feel really involved and happy, but not everyone feels like they are actually 'in' the virtual body the same way.

How to use in your project

1.Use this study to justify the use of VR in your design project and to discuss potential challenges in user embodiment.
2.Reference the findings on immersion and satisfaction to support the benefits of your chosen technology.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the potential of immersive virtual reality (IVR) with virtual humans (VHs) for enhancing user engagement in psychological assessments, reporting high levels of immersion and satisfaction. However, the study also noted significant variation in users' sense of embodiment, suggesting that design efforts should focus on improving the realism and interactivity of VHs to ensure a more consistent and impactful user experience across diverse individuals.

Source

Sensors

User Experience of Virtual Human and Immersive Virtual Reality Role-Playing in Psychological Testing and Assessment: A Case Study of ‘EmpathyVR’

journal · 2025

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about virtual humans in immersive vr enhance psychological assessment engagement, but embodiment varies?: When designing virtual experiences for assessment or training, aim for high immersion and satisfaction, but be mindful that individual differences in embodiment may require adaptive design strategies or further research into user-specific factors. Evidence: Sensors (2025).
Why does "Virtual humans in immersive VR enhance psychological assessment engagement, but embodiment varies." matter for design?: This research indicates that while IVR offers a powerful new medium for engaging users in psychological assessments, designers must consider the variability in how individuals connect with virtual representations. Understanding and optimizing the sense of embodiment is crucial for consistent and effective assessment outcomes.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing virtual experiences for assessment or training, aim for high immersion and satisfaction, but be mindful that individual differences in embodiment may require adaptive design strategies or further research into user-specific factors.
What were the main findings?: Participants reported high levels of immersion in the IVR environment.. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the IVR-based assessment.. The sense of embodiment varied significantly among participants.
What research method was used?: Mixed-method approach with 99 participants.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2025 journal from Sensors.
What should I do differently in my next project?: In developing VR-based training or assessment tools, incorporate elements that enhance the feeling of presence and agency within the virtual environment, and consider user feedback mechanisms to gauge and potentially adjust embodiment levels.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on a specific demographic (Korean adolescents) and a particular type of assessment (empathy). The variability in embodiment might be influenced by factors not fully explored, such as prior VR experience or individual psychological traits.