Psychophysiological responses to virtual crowds: Implications for wearable computing

Chris Christou, Kyriakos Herakleous, Aimilia Tzanavari, Charalambos Poullis

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Human responses to crowds were investigated with a simulation of a busy street scene using virtual reality. Both psychophysiological measures and a memory test were used to assess the influence of large crowds or individual agents who stood close to the participant while they performed a memory task. Results from most individuals revealed strong orienting responses to changes in the crowd. This was indicated by sharp increases in skin conductance and reduction in peripheral blood volume amplitude. Furthermore, cognitive function appeared to be affected. Results of the memory test appeared to be influenced by how closely virtual agents approached the participants. These findings are discussed with respect to wearable affective computing which seeks robust identifiable correlates of autonomic activity that can be used in everyday contexts.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2015 International Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction, ACII 2015
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages35-41
Number of pages7
ISBN (Electronic)9781479999538
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Dec 2015
Event2015 International Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction, ACII 2015 - Xi'an, China
Duration: 21 Sept 201524 Sept 2015

Other

Other2015 International Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction, ACII 2015
Country/TerritoryChina
CityXi'an
Period21/09/1524/09/15

Keywords

  • affect
  • blood volume pulse
  • cognitive function
  • crowds
  • proxemics
  • psychophysiology
  • skin conductance

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