A New Kind of Extension

Abstract

The field of virtual reality research is relatively young and quickly evolving. Proposals on what virtual reality is and how the mind deals with it are continually being refined. In this chapter, we outline a view according to which virtual reality is a tool enabling a unique kind of extension: it extends not only the space in which participants can act, but also their sense of corporeality and more generally the sense of who they are. The illusory transformations in virtual reality may lead, at least temporarily, to changes in participants’ attitudes and behaviors, and sometimes such changes may continue in real life situations. Participants may or may not be aware of such changes. The power of virtual reality is in evoking such responses, despite limitations of current virtual reality technology.