Neuroscience

Pure mathematics

Perception

Mathematics

Depth perception

Optical head-mounted display

Human–computer interaction

Operating system

Cognitive psychology

Artificial intelligence

Psychology

Set (abstract data type)

Visual perception

Virtual reality

Immersion (mathematics)

Programming language

Virtual machine

Computer science

Virtual space

Computer vision

Virtual reality systems are a popular tool in behavioral sciences. The participants’ behavior is, however, a response to cognitively processed stimuli. Consequently, researchers must ensure that virtually perceived stimuli resemble those present in the real world to ensure the ecological validity of collected findings. Our article provides a literature review relating to distance perception in virtual reality. Furthermore, we present a new study that compares verbal distance estimates within real and virtual environments. The virtual space—a replica of a real outdoor area—was displayed using a state-of-the-art head-mounted display. Investigated distances ranged from 8 to 13 m. Overall, the results show no significant difference between egocentric distance estimates in real and virtual environments. However, a more in-depth analysis suggests that the order in which participants were exposed to the two environments may affect the outcome. Furthermore, the study suggests that a rising experience of immersion leads to an alignment of the estimated virtual distances with the real ones. The results also show that the discrepancy between estimates of real and virtual distances increases with the incongruity between virtual and actual eye heights, demonstrating the importance of an accurately set virtual eye height.

Egocentric Distance Perception: A Comparative Study Investigating Differences Between Real and Virtual Environments