Psychology Update — MULTIPLE USES OF VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) IN PSYCHOLOGY AND THERAPY

Posted December 13th, 2021 by David Berg & filed under Introduction To Psychology, Psychological Disorders and Therapy, Psychology Update, Sensation and Perception, States of Consciousness & Sleep, Stress and Health Psychology.

THIS WEEK’S PSYCHOLOGY UPDATE FOCUSES ON THE USES OF VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) AS A TECHNOLOGY TOOL USED FOR TREATMENT OF VARIOUS TYPES OF CONDITIONS. BELOW YOU WILL FIND A LISTING OF ARTICLE TITLES, WEBSITES, AND YOUTUBE LINKS FOR VARIOUS USES OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN THERAPY.

THE REFERENCES CAN SERVE AS A STARTING POINT FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN THE APPLICATION OF VR TO THE FIELD OF THERAPY.

—->GETTING STARTED

Provided here are resources for understanding and utilizing VR for Psychology in terms of therapeutic resources. Virtual Reality applications provide a new technology to handle a variety of problems.

For the student, all that is need is a cell phone, VR headset, and a source (such as those listed here). As far as the headset is concerned these can be found all over the internet starting around $5 for the Google cardboard version. Searching Amazon (no conflict of interest) will provide a great many VR headset alternatives; click on the filter for prices “low to high” to find the least expensive.

For the professor: this will make for a great DIY project for class.

VARIOUS SOURCES FOR VR USE IN THERAPY

—->A VIRTUAL CURE (APA)

http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug05/cure.aspx

—->Speaking of Psychology: Improving lives through virtual reality therapy (Episode 19) (APA)

http://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/virtual-reality.aspx

—-> Virtual Reality as Therapy for Pain

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/29/well/live/virtual-reality-as-therapy-for-pain.html

—-> A Virtual-Reality Program to Conquer the Fear of Public Speaking

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/a-virtual-reality-program-to-conquer-the-fear-of-public-speaking

—-> How Virtual Reality Could Transform Mental Health Treatment

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/know-your-mind/201605/how-virtual-reality-could-transform-mental-health-treatment