Virtual reality and psycology: An innovative tool for psychological research and treatment
Lorenzo Di Natale, Simone Barbato
Currently, several studies, reviews and meta-analysis have examined these new technologies effectiveness in different fields of psychology. Therefore, in order to explore these issues, this paper will first outline VR base concepts, historical background and the logic of its application in experimental psychology and clinical treatment research. This will be followed by the analysis of VR tools and Virtual Environment (VE) methodological developments, recognising the importance of the detailed-study of psychological phenomena topics. In the clinical area, this essay will prove that VR tools represent credible, realistic and effective outlook; moreover, they are easily adaptable to a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches, as they permit the achievement of particular targets (cognitive, behavioural and emotional).
Keywords
Virtual reality, psychology, psychotherapy, experimental psychology.