Exploring Pseudohaptic Effects of Touch: A Virtual Reality Experiment

Interpersonal distance plays a crucial role in social interactions and can be intentionally adjusted for different purposes. Although previous studies have examined the influence of multiple physical and social characteristics of interlocutors, as well as vicarious touch, the effects of actual or simulated physical touch on interpersonal distance remain largely underexplored. The present study addresses this gap by employing Embodied Telepresent Connection, a software platform that utilises pseudo-haptic effects to simulate different types of touch in virtual reality. This research aims to investigate how these simulated tactile experiences influence individuals’ preferred interpersonal comfort distance, with particular attention to the role of avatar identity. The hypothesis under investigation is grounded in previous literature suggesting that individuals tend to maintain greater interpersonal distance from unfamiliar others compared to familiar ones. Furthermore, the use of dedicated questionnaires enables the investigation of participants’ perceptions of the virtual reality experience. Particular attention is given to examining these mechanisms in relation to individual levels of depersonalisation, defined as a subjective sense of detachment from the self. Given the varying results in previous research, this study aims to further explore the potential link between depersonalisation and the stability of bodily boundaries. Results did not show any effect on interpersonal distance, but a significant correlation has been found between pseudo-haptic effects and subjective experiences emerged during the virtual reality session, regarding both the individual and the relation, in terms of the sense of co-presence with the avatar, the pleasantness and realism of touch, the immersion and perception of control within the virtual environment. The absence of effects of the depersonalisation trait on the dimensions under investigation requires further theoretical consideration.