There has been an increasing interest in exploring how cognitive transformations might take place for individuals who experience fully integrated reality environments. This is largely due to the fact that these technologies are expected to become more prevalent in everyday life and have the potential to impact human behavior in profound ways.
The concept of "augmented reality" refers to technology that enhances real-world experiences through digital elements such as text, sound, images, and videos that are projected into physical spaces. In contrast, a "fully integrated reality" environment incorporates both virtual and augmented aspects of reality into one seamless experience. As such, it combines the immersive qualities of VR with the interactive features of AR to create an entirely new form of sensory experience.
When using fully integrated reality environments, individuals may undergo cognitive transformations related to their perception, attention, memory, and problem solving abilities.
They may become more attuned to the presence of digital objects within their environment, leading them to engage with them differently than they would if those objects were not present. They may also find themselves developing new strategies for navigating virtual worlds or interacting with digital characters.
It is worth noting that the exact nature of cognitive transformation experienced by individuals living in fully integrated reality environments will depend on a variety of factors, including individual differences, age, prior exposure to similar technologies, and the specific design of the environment itself. Some research suggests that younger individuals tend to adapt faster to emerging technologies than older ones do (Bernard et al., 2018).
Previous experience with similar technologies can influence how someone responds to novel implementations of these technologies (Bartneck et al., 2019).
The structure and content of the environment itself can shape how users perceive and navigate the space, which can impact their overall cognition (Niklas & Riedl, 2016).
Further research is needed to better understand the full range of potential cognitive transformations that occur when people live in fully integrated reality environments.
As this technology continues to develop and become more prevalent in everyday life, it is likely that we will see increasing interest from both academics and industry professionals in exploring its potential impact on human behavior.
What cognitive transformations occur in individuals living in fully augmented-reality-integrated environments?
The main cognitive transformation that occurs in individuals living in an AR environment is a shift from perceiving their physical world as a static and unchanging entity to viewing it as a dynamic and ever-evolving space. This is because AR technology provides a new layer of information overlays on top of the real world, allowing users to see and interact with virtual objects and characters in real-time.