Lost in Fantasy, or Alive in Reality: The Elution Hypothesis – Balancing Immersion and Emersion in Virtual Realities

In this research work we argue, that the interplay of immersion (individual state of being attached to Virtual Reality [VR]), and emersion (individual state of being detached to Physical Reality [PR]) affects the ability in transferring and applying VR experiences in PR, and consequently, the benefits of VR. Specifically, the ‘Elution-Hypothesis’ demonstrates that the level of abstraction in VR transcend the shift from VR to PR, that is revert immersion, and that the level of associations transcend the shift from PR to VR, that is revert emersion, finally affecting the mental separation of VR/PR, and consequently, the benefits of VR.