Testing Presence, Assessing Attitudes: Study of a Virtual Tour in an "Aesthetically Challenged" Landscape
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Date
2022-05-10
Authors
Steidle, Stuart
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Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
This thesis investigates using immersive media to explain landscape restoration efforts where the means and ends of such projects may appear risky or unsightly. I built a desktop-based, virtual tour of fire-dependent Pine Barrens restoration practices in Wisconsin’s Northwoods with 360º videos and video game software. I surveyed 73 Wisconsin and Minnesota residents who were presented with either the 3D tour or a 2D website to compare the impact of each media type on people’s attitudes toward prescribed fire, clearcutting, and restoration of open pine barrens. Results showed people exposed to 2D media were as likely to change their attitudes as 3D participants, but that 3D participants experienced more of the “self-location” aspect of “spatial presence.” Although global attitude enhancement suggests 2D media can be as impactful as 3D technologies, the immersive tour may hold promise for persuading people who initially indicate neutral or negative attitudes toward the restoration goals.
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Keywords
Attitudes, Geovisualization, Immersive media, Pine barrens, Science communication, VR