We conducted an exploratory study to introduce, operationalize and test a theoretical conceptualization of interoceptive awareness (IA) in virtual worlds that aligns with neurobiological explanations of interoception. We examined the relationship between IA and the self-location subdimension of spatial presence. Experimental subjects experienced either a 10-min meditation designed to activate IA or a control condition designed to encourage mind wandering. Participants either wore a virtual reality (VR) headset (Samsung Gear VR or HTC Vive) or had their eyes closed. Results suggest that (i) IA was not different between eyes closed or eyes open in VR; (ii) VR display technology did not influence IA; and (iii) higher IA and visual clarity were associated with significantly stronger feelings of spatial presence, whereas display technology had no relationship to spatial presence. Further examination of the role of IA in virtual worlds experiences is warranted.

中文翻译：

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感知意识：虚拟世界中“存在”的“存在”维度

我们进行了一项探索性研究，以介绍，操作和测试虚拟世界中的感知觉知觉（IA）的理论概念，该理论概念与感知生物学的神经生物学解释相吻合。我们检查了IA与空间存在的自我定位子维度之间的关系。实验对象经历了旨在激活IA的10分钟冥想或旨在鼓励思维游荡的控制条件。参与者要么戴上虚拟现实（VR）耳机（三星Gear VR或HTC Vive），要么闭上了眼睛。结果表明：（i）在VR中，闭眼或睁眼的IA均无差异；（ii）VR显示技术不影响IA；（iii）较高的IA和视觉清晰度与空间存在感明显增强有关，而显示技术与空间存在无关。必须进一步检查IA在虚拟世界经验中的作用。