A systematic literature review of virtual embodied experience

Abstract

Virtual scenarios have brought intriguing enhancements to the in‐reality experiences of individuals, and a paradigm of embodiment, rather than disembodiment, has evolved. Research on virtual embodied experience has connected the trends of virtualization and embodiment of experience but remains scattered and inconclusive. This systematic review of 125 peer‐reviewed journal papers in the Scopus database uncovers extant work on the contextualization, conceptualization, and causal links of virtual embodied experience. It finds that extant literature neglects certain cutting‐edge scenarios. Research still needs to identify more explicit dimensional structures of virtual embodied experience and more antecedents and consequences along the causal chain. Research has grounded itself in theoretical constellations across cognitive and behavioral science, sociology, and computer science. Nevertheless, flaws remain, not least the use of disembodiment‐oriented theories to explain embodied experience and insufficient emphasis on the subjectivity of technology. As the lack of suitable research frameworks has presented obstacles to quantitative research, this study proposes a framework highlighting virtual embodied experience bridging virtual scenario elements (technological and environmental factors) and multiple consequences (perception, responses, and performances). This study sets out a future research agenda, including promising research directions such as exploring virtual embodied experiences in multiple virtual scenarios, clarifying its dimensional structures, and underlining the complexity of how it mediates virtual scenario elements and commercial consequences and how it leads to possible negative consequences.