THE INFLUENCE OF VIRTUAL-REALITY ON THE M IND OF AN INDIVIDUAL

The authors define the concept of virtual reality, they deal with the relation of virtual reality to the presence and they discuss briefly t he history of virtual reality. They mention the use of virtual reality in the treatment of phobia and in the therapy of the disturbed relati on to own self and to others. In the original experimental study inclu ding two persons it was round that the virtual reality changes the top ical psychological state or an individuum - it influences the emotiona lity and aggressivity. Nevertheless, one exposure to the virtual reali ty lasting more than one hour did not change substantially the structu ral characteristic of personality called the openess to experience. It is not possible to draw from the results an unambiguous conclusion co ncerning the positive or negative influence on the psychology of an in dividuum. The authors suppose that the long-termed uncontr olled effec t of virtual reality can influence an individuum so much that even the negative consequences in his/her behaviour can be expected.