Georgia State has begun to invest in virtual reality to expand its research efforts

NEWS – The Signal Georgia State student Michael Gaither testing out the virtual reality system located in Library North room 275.Photo by Tarilyn Johnson | The SignalGeorgia State is utilizing a new medium to further its advances in research: Virtual Reality (VR). Harsha Goli, Chief Financial Officer of the Panther Hackers, said that VR is a way to “trick” the user into a different perception of reality.
“What virtual reality means is a complete replacement of our current reality. Currently this is done in the simplest way possible, by placing a display with a separate window on each eye to replicate different angles,” Goli said. “This tricks the user into having depth perception, which is what makes it ‘real’ to him or her. So effectively, it replaces your vision and hearing with it’s alternate reality.”
VR’s research upsides
Georgia State psychology professor Page Anderson conducted research using VR to reduce the stress of people suffering from Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD).
“It’s not necessarily that virtual reality is a cure to social anxiety or probably anything. It’s what the technology can do for you,” Anderson said.
The VR system can simulate social environments to get those suffering from SAD accustomed through a more controlled immersion technique.
“It’s based on a very similar principle that in order to overcome your fears you have to face your fears. Most people can not tolerate that type of treatment for their anxiety so the idea of virtual reality is if you can take first step in a virtual world then you will be able to do so in the real world,” Anderson said.
Anderson clarified that VR is not about the “real” experience, but preparing the user for the social environment and practicing cognitive processes.
“It does not make it a more real of an experience, but it allows you to practice ways of thinking ...


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