Using Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality in Situational Research

Abstract: Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR) technologies offer unique capabilities for studying psychological situations, allowing researchers to manipulate environmental variables with high control while maintaining ecological validity. Despite growing interest, no systematic mapping has examined how VR/AR is being applied in situational research. This scoping review aims to identify and synthesize research on VR/AR technologies for studying psychological situations. Using the PCC (Population-Concept-Context) framework, we included studies employing VR/AR to manipulate or measure situational information, published in English or Spanish through October 2024. Systematic searches were conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PsyArXiv, and Google Scholar databases following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Three independent authors extracted data regarding study characteristics and situational information. Forty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies predominantly examined conflict interpersonal situations (37.0%), with primary purposes being psychological treatment (41.3%) and comparison between virtual/real-life situations (19.6%). Key limitations included small sample sizes, heterogeneous approaches to measuring presence, and concerns regarding ecological validity. This review reveals opportunities for advancing situational research through VR/AR while highlighting methodological heterogeneity. Future research should establish standardized protocols for measuring presence and ecological validity, and more systematically integrate theoretical taxonomies of situational characteristics.