Virtual Reality, Mental Models, and Mindful Decision-Making

This research investigates virtual reality presentation (VR), revealing its impact on users’ mental models and mindful decision-making. We identify two fundamental features of VR: interactive viewing and depth cues. Through the lens of mental model theory, we explore how these two features shape users’ mental models and subsequently influence their mindfulness in decision-making. Two lab experiments were conducted to examine our research model. Study 1 examines interactive viewing and depth cues separately to assess their distinct impacts on the key components of users’ mental models—perceived control and acquired information. Study 2 employs an integrated VR presentation technology (i.e., Meta Quest 2) to explore the overall effect of VR presentations on users’ mental models and mindful decision-making. Results largely support our hypotheses. This research highlights the unique effects of VR presentation and its features, emphasizing enhanced user control and information acquisition in fostering high-quality mental models that increase mindfulness in users’ decisions in the online environment. These findings have significant implications for both research and practice of VR presentations.