The experience of presence: Factor analytic insights

Within an embodied cognition framework, it is argued that presence in a vir tual environment (VE) develops from the construction of a spatial-functiona l mental model of the VE. Two cognitive processes lead to this model: the r epresentation of bodily actions as possible actions in the VE, and the supp ression of incompatible sensory input. It is hypothesized that the consciou s sense of presence reflects these two components as spatial presence and i nvolvement. This prediction was confirmed in two studies (N = 246 and N = 2 96) assessing self-reports of presence and immersion experiences. Additiona lly, judgments of "realness" were observed as a third presence component. A second-order factor analysis showed a distinction between presence, immers ion, and interaction factors. Building on these results, a thirteen-item pr esence scale consisting of three independent components was developed and v erified using confirmatory factor analyses across the two studies.