pith. machine review for the scientific record. sign in

arxiv: 2604.09146 · v1 · submitted 2026-04-10 · 💻 cs.HC

Recognition: no theorem link

What's in a BIP? Exploring the Lived Experiences of Breaks In Presence

Jean-Philippe Rivi\`ere , Roman Malo , Sarah Varlin Grassi , Yannick Pri\'e
Authors on Pith no claims yet

Pith reviewed 2026-05-10 17:59 UTC · model grok-4.3

classification 💻 cs.HC
keywords breaks in presencevirtual realitymicro-phenomenologylived experiencepresenceVR designimmersionuser experience
0
0 comments X

The pith

Breaks in presence in VR unfold through four distinct temporal patterns that users actively manage.

A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.

The paper examines the actual lived moments when VR users feel pulled out of the virtual world by distractions. Researchers conducted micro-phenomenological interviews with 14 participants using a height-exposure application and built detailed models of 57 separate episodes. This process uncovered four recurring patterns in how the breaks develop over time: users may reflect on them, set them aside, employ them to protect themselves, or navigate them through internal contradictions. A sympathetic reader would care because the findings shift attention from merely detecting breaks to supporting how people experience and respond to them. The work also advances an awareness-centered definition of breaks in presence along with concrete suggestions for VR design.

Core claim

By applying micro-phenomenology to collect and model descriptions of breaks in presence from 14 users in a height-exposure VR application, the authors identified four generic diachronic patterns: reflected-upon BIPs, discarded BIPs, self-preservation BIPs, and contradictory mediation BIPs. These patterns are interpreted through the PI/Psi model of presence, which supports an awareness-based definition of BIPs and the proposal of three related design opportunities.

What carries the argument

Micro-phenomenological modeling of individual BIP episodes to extract four recurring diachronic patterns in user experience and response.

If this is right

  • VR systems can anticipate and accommodate the specific ways users reflect on, discard, or use breaks for self-preservation rather than treating all disruptions the same.
  • An awareness-based definition allows presence to be treated as a graded state instead of a binary condition.
  • Designers gain three targeted opportunities to address the four identified BIP patterns in application development.

Where Pith is reading between the lines

These are editorial extensions of the paper, not claims the author makes directly.

  • The same interview and modeling approach could be applied to augmented reality or mixed-reality settings to test whether similar temporal patterns appear.
  • Combining these subjective patterns with physiological sensors might improve real-time systems that respond to user awareness shifts.
  • Longitudinal studies could examine whether users develop preferred patterns over repeated VR sessions and whether those preferences affect continued use.

Load-bearing premise

Detailed accounts from fourteen users of one height-exposure application can reveal patterns that hold across other VR applications and broader user groups.

What would settle it

A follow-up micro-phenomenological study in a different VR context, such as a social interaction or navigation task, that identifies a substantially different set of temporal patterns or no consistent patterns at all.

Figures

Figures reproduced from arXiv: 2604.09146 by Jean-Philippe Rivi\`ere, Roman Malo, Sarah Varlin Grassi, Yannick Pri\'e.

Figure 1
Figure 1. Figure 1: We immersed participants in a VR environment designed to induce a [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p009_1.png] view at source ↗
Figure 2
Figure 2. Figure 2: EVEREST: a VR environment originally created for acrophobia exposure therapy. (a) The starting point of the environment. (b) The cityscape around the participant in VR. (c) One of the two lifts used to go up. The green button starts the elevator, the orange button calls the experimenter and the red button takes the participant to a “safe place” by Gloria Gaynor in the experimentation room. At step 14, we c… view at source ↗
Figure 3
Figure 3. Figure 3: A two-headed seagull in the environment that caused unexpected BIPs [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p011_3.png] view at source ↗
Figure 4
Figure 4. Figure 4: The phases of a micro-phenomenological interview follow a sequential [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p013_4.png] view at source ↗
Figure 5
Figure 5. Figure 5: Example of a diachronic/synchronic model resulting from the analy [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p015_5.png] view at source ↗
Figure 6
Figure 6. Figure 6: Left of the dotted line: the unfolding of three BIP episodes, from top [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p016_6.png] view at source ↗
Figure 7
Figure 7. Figure 7: Top-level generic diachronic moments and their associated second-level [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p020_7.png] view at source ↗
Figure 8
Figure 8. Figure 8: The 57 BIP episodes are grouped into 4 main BIP patterns. Each episode [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p025_8.png] view at source ↗
read the original abstract

Occasionally, individuals immersed in a Virtual Reality (VR) environment may experience distractions that disrupt their sense of presence, a phenomenon referred to as a break in presence (BIP). Better understanding BIPs is crucial to designing VR applications that keep their users present. BIPs have been studied using a variety of methods, exploring their origins or trying to detect them from physiological or behavioral measurements. However, despite the importance of understanding how they are actually lived and managed by VR users, very few studies focused on their phenomenological characterization. We employed micro-phenomenology to collect the descriptions of BIPs experienced by users (n=14) of a height exposure VR application. We precisely modeled 57 BIP episodes, bringing to light a variety of experiences and behaviors. Four generic diachronic patterns of BIP episodes emerge: reflected-upon, discarded, self-preservation, and contradictory mediation BIPs. We discuss these in light of the PI/Psi model of presence, propose an awareness-based definition of BIPs, as well as three BIP-related design opportunities.

Editorial analysis

A structured set of objections, weighed in public.

Desk editor's note, referee report, simulated authors' rebuttal, and a circularity audit. Tearing a paper down is the easy half of reading it; the pith above is the substance, this is the friction.

Referee Report

3 major / 2 minor

Summary. The paper uses micro-phenomenological interviews with 14 users of a single height-exposure VR application to collect and model descriptions of 57 BIP episodes. From this data, four generic diachronic patterns of BIP experiences are identified (reflected-upon, discarded, self-preservation, and contradictory mediation). These patterns are discussed in relation to the PI/Psi model of presence, an awareness-based definition of BIPs is proposed, and three BIP-related design opportunities for VR are outlined.

Significance. If the patterns are shown to be robustly derived and not artifacts of the specific height-exposure context, the work would advance phenomenological understanding of BIPs beyond physiological detection or origin-focused studies. The micro-phenomenological method is well-suited for capturing lived experiences, and the resulting definition and design opportunities could usefully inform VR application development in human-computer interaction.

major comments (3)
  1. [Methods] Methods section: The abstract states that 57 episodes were precisely modeled from n=14 interviews, yet no information is given on inter-rater reliability, saturation criteria, or procedures for resolving contradictions in the data. These details are load-bearing for the reliability of the four emergent patterns.
  2. [Results/Discussion] Results and Discussion: The four patterns are presented as generic and diachronic, but the data come exclusively from a height-exposure application that strongly primes self-preservation and fear responses. No evidence of negative-case analysis, cross-context replication, or explicit saturation is indicated, weakening the claim that the patterns generalize beyond this scenario.
  3. [Abstract/Introduction] Abstract and Introduction: The leap from this small, homogeneous sample in one application to an awareness-based BIP definition and broader design implications requires stronger justification; without saturation or generalizability checks, the patterns risk being context-specific rather than generic.
minor comments (2)
  1. [Discussion] Clarify in the discussion how the PI/Psi model is applied to each of the four patterns, with explicit mappings to the interview excerpts.
  2. [Discussion] Add a limitations subsection that explicitly addresses the single-application sample and implications for broader VR contexts.

Simulated Author's Rebuttal

3 responses · 0 unresolved

We thank the referee for their thoughtful and constructive comments on our manuscript. These points help us improve the clarity and transparency of our phenomenological analysis. Below, we address each major comment point by point, indicating where revisions will be made to the manuscript.

read point-by-point responses

  1. Referee: [Methods] Methods section: The abstract states that 57 episodes were precisely modeled from n=14 interviews, yet no information is given on inter-rater reliability, saturation criteria, or procedures for resolving contradictions in the data. These details are load-bearing for the reliability of the four emergent patterns.

    Authors: We appreciate this observation on methodological transparency. Micro-phenomenology, as a qualitative method, prioritizes the detailed, first-person description and the researcher's bracketing process over quantitative measures like inter-rater reliability. The modeling of the 57 episodes was conducted by the lead author with iterative review and discussion among the co-authors to resolve any interpretive differences through consensus. Saturation was assessed by monitoring when no new diachronic patterns emerged in subsequent interviews. In the revised version, we will include a more detailed description of these procedures in the Methods section to address this concern. revision: partial

  2. Referee: [Results/Discussion] Results and Discussion: The four patterns are presented as generic and diachronic, but the data come exclusively from a height-exposure application that strongly primes self-preservation and fear responses. No evidence of negative-case analysis, cross-context replication, or explicit saturation is indicated, weakening the claim that the patterns generalize beyond this scenario.

    Authors: The referee correctly notes the specific context of the height-exposure application, which may have emphasized self-preservation responses. The four patterns emerged from a comprehensive analysis of all 57 episodes, including consideration of cases that initially appeared contradictory or did not fit emerging categories (negative-case analysis was part of the iterative modeling process). However, we recognize that explicit reporting of this and the absence of cross-context data limit claims to generalizability. We will add a Limitations subsection in the Discussion to explicitly discuss the single-application context, the potential influence of the height-exposure scenario, and the need for future research to replicate these patterns in other VR environments. The patterns are presented as generic within the scope of this study but will be qualified accordingly. revision: partial

  3. Referee: [Abstract/Introduction] Abstract and Introduction: The leap from this small, homogeneous sample in one application to an awareness-based BIP definition and broader design implications requires stronger justification; without saturation or generalizability checks, the patterns risk being context-specific rather than generic.

    Authors: The sample of 14 participants is consistent with micro-phenomenological research, which values in-depth exploration of lived experiences over large-scale generalizability. The awareness-based definition is proposed based on the patterns observed in this dataset and is intended as a contribution to the ongoing discussion in the field, informed by the PI/Psi model. We will revise the Abstract and Introduction to better frame the study as an initial phenomenological investigation, provide stronger links to prior work, and temper the language around the definition and design opportunities to reflect their basis in this specific context. This will include explicit mention of the exploratory nature and calls for further validation. revision: yes

Circularity Check

0 steps flagged

No circularity: qualitative patterns emerge from interview data without self-referential derivation

full rationale

This is a descriptive qualitative study employing micro-phenomenological interviews with 14 participants to model 57 BIP episodes in one VR application. The four diachronic patterns (reflected-upon, discarded, self-preservation, contradictory mediation) are presented as emerging from the data analysis rather than being presupposed, fitted, or derived via equations or self-citations. No mathematical derivations, parameter fitting, uniqueness theorems, or ansatzes appear in the provided text. The discussion of the PI/Psi model and proposed BIP definition serves as interpretive framing, not a load-bearing self-referential step. The central claim remains independent of its inputs, consistent with standard qualitative phenomenology.

Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger

0 free parameters · 1 axioms · 0 invented entities

The study rests on the standard assumptions of micro-phenomenology as a valid method for accessing lived experience; no free parameters, mathematical axioms, or new invented entities are introduced.

axioms (1)
  • domain assumption Micro-phenomenology interviews can accurately and reliably capture the diachronic structure of subjective BIP experiences.
    The entire modeling of 57 episodes and emergence of four patterns depends on this methodological premise.

pith-pipeline@v0.9.0 · 5494 in / 1262 out tokens · 49420 ms · 2026-05-10T17:59:16.979597+00:00 · methodology

discussion (0)

Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.

Reference graph

Works this paper leans on

73 extracted references · 52 canonical work pages

  1. [1]

    Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments7(3), 225–240 (1998) https://doi.org/10.1162/105474698565686

    Witmer, B.G., Singer, M.J.: Measuring Presence in Virtual Environments: A Presence Questionnaire. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments7(3), 225–240 (1998) https://doi.org/10.1162/105474698565686

    work page doi:10.1162/105474698565686 1998

  2. [2]

    Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences364(1535), 3549–3557 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb

    Slater, M.: Place illusion and plausibility can lead to realistic behaviour in immer- sive virtual environments. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences364(1535), 3549–3557 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb. 2009.0138

    work page doi:10.1098/rstb 2009

  3. [3]

    Presence: Teleopera- tors and Virtual Environments9(5), 413–434 (2000) https://doi.org/10.1162/ 105474600566925

    Slater, M., Steed, A.: A Virtual Presence Counter. Presence: Teleopera- tors and Virtual Environments9(5), 413–434 (2000) https://doi.org/10.1162/ 105474600566925

    2000

  4. [4]

    Brooks, F.P.: What’s real about virtual reality? IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications19(6), 16–27 (1999) https://doi.org/10.1109/38.799723

    work page doi:10.1109/38.799723 1999

  5. [5]

    PRESENCE: Virtual and Augmented Reality31, 257–281 (2022) https: //doi.org/10.1162/pres a 00397

    Pouke, M., Ylipulli, J., Uotila, E., Sitomaniemi, A.-K., Pouke, S., Ojala, T.: A qualitative case study on deconstructing presence for young adults and older adults. PRESENCE: Virtual and Augmented Reality31, 257–281 (2022) https: //doi.org/10.1162/pres a 00397

    work page doi:10.1162/pres 2022

  6. [6]

    Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments 17, 405–413 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1162/pres.17.4.405

    Chertoff, D., Schatz, S., Mcdaniel, R., Bowers, C.: Improving Presence Theory Through Experiential Design. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments 17, 405–413 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1162/pres.17.4.405

    work page doi:10.1162/pres.17.4.405 2008

  7. [7]

    Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine21, 28–32 (2023)

    Gaspari, S.D., Sajno, E., Lernia, D.D., Brizzi, G., Sansoni, M., Riva, G.: Detection of Break in Presence in Full Body Illusion using Machine Learning. Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine21, 28–32 (2023)

    2023

  8. [8]

    Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments17(3), 293–309 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1162/pres.17.3.293

    Garau, M., Friedman, D., Widenfeld, H.R., Antley, A., Brogni, A., Slater, M.: Temporal and Spatial Variations in Presence: Qualitative Analysis of Interviews from an Experiment on Breaks in Presence. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments17(3), 293–309 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1162/pres.17.3.293

    work page doi:10.1162/pres.17.3.293 2008

  9. [9]

    CyberPsychology & Behavior4(2), 203–213 (2001) https://doi.org/10.1089/109493101300117893

    Waterworth, E.L., Waterworth, J.A.: Focus, Locus, and Sensus: The Three Dimensions of Virtual Experience. CyberPsychology & Behavior4(2), 203–213 (2001) https://doi.org/10.1089/109493101300117893

    work page doi:10.1089/109493101300117893 2001

  10. [10]

    John Benjamins Publishing Company, Amsterdam, Netherlands (2003)

    Depraz, N., Varela, F.J., Vermersch, P.: On Becoming Aware: A Pragmatics of Experiencing. John Benjamins Publishing Company, Amsterdam, Netherlands (2003)

    2003

  11. [11]

    Encyclopaedia Britannica14, 699–702 (1927)

    Husserl, E.: Phenomenology. Encyclopaedia Britannica14, 699–702 (1927)

    1927

  12. [12]

    Current Psychology42(12), 10437–10453 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02277-3

    Lumma, A.-L., Weger, U.: Looking from within: Comparing first-person 38 approaches to studying experience. Current Psychology42(12), 10437–10453 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02277-3

    work page doi:10.1007/s12144-021-02277-3 2021

  13. [13]

    Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences22(1), 1–24 (2022) https: //doi.org/10.1007/s11097-022-09873-z

    Høffding, S., Heimann, K., Martiny, K.: Editorial: Working with others’ expe- rience. Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences22(1), 1–24 (2022) https: //doi.org/10.1007/s11097-022-09873-z

    work page doi:10.1007/s11097-022-09873-z 2022

  14. [14]

    In: Proceedings of the 4th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction: Changing Roles

    Bødker, S.: When second wave hci meets third wave challenges. In: Proceedings of the 4th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction: Changing Roles. NordiCHI ’06, pp. 1–8, Oslo, Norway (2006). https://doi.org/10.1145/1182475. 1182476

    work page doi:10.1145/1182475 2006

  15. [15]

    In: Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Com- puting Systems

    Prpa, M., Fdili-Alaoui, S., Schiphorst, T., Pasquier, P.: Articulating Experience: Reflections from Experts Applying Micro-Phenomenology to Design Research in HCI. In: Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Com- puting Systems. CHI ’20, pp. 1–14, Honolulu HI USA (2020). https://doi.org/10. 1145/3313831.3376664

    work page arXiv 2020

  16. [16]

    Communication Theory14(1), 27–50 (2004) https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2885.2004.tb00302.x

    Lee, K.M.: Presence, Explicated. Communication Theory14(1), 27–50 (2004) https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2885.2004.tb00302.x

    work page doi:10.1111/j.1468-2885.2004.tb00302.x 2004

  17. [17]

    International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction38(1), 1–18 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1080/ 10447318.2021.1921368

    Felton, W.M., Jackson, R.E.: Presence: A review. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction38(1), 1–18 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1080/ 10447318.2021.1921368

    work page arXiv 2021

  18. [18]

    Jr., Whitton, M.C.: A Survey of Presence and Related Concepts

    Skarbez, R., Brooks, F.P. Jr., Whitton, M.C.: A Survey of Presence and Related Concepts. ACM Computing Survey50(6), 96–19639 (2017) https://doi.org/10. 1145/3134301

    2017

  19. [19]

    Media Psychology9(3), 493–525 (2007) https://doi.org/10

    Wirth, W., Hartmann, T., B¨ ocking, S., Vorderer, P., Klimmt, C., Schramm, H., Saari, T., Laarni, J., Ravaja, N., Gouveia, F.R., Biocca, F., Sacau, A., J¨ ancke, L., Baumgartner, T., J¨ ancke, P.: A process model of the formation of spatial presence experiences. Media Psychology9(3), 493–525 (2007) https://doi.org/10. 1080/15213260701283079

    2007

  20. [20]

    Jour- nal of Communication42(4), 73–93 (1992) https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466

    Steuer, J.: Defining Virtual Reality: Dimensions Determining Telepresence. Jour- nal of Communication42(4), 73–93 (1992) https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466. 1992.tb00812.x

    work page doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466 1992

  21. [21]

    Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments14(3), 298–312 (2005) https://doi.org/10.1162/105474605323384654

    Witmer, B.G., Jerome, C.J., Singer, M.J.: The Factor Structure of the Presence Questionnaire. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments14(3), 298–312 (2005) https://doi.org/10.1162/105474605323384654

    work page doi:10.1162/105474605323384654 2005

  22. [22]

    Jour- nal of Computer-Mediated Communication3(2) (2006) https://doi.org/10.1111/ j.1083-6101.1997.tb00072.x 39

    Lombard, M., Ditton, T.: At the heart of it all: The concept of presence. Jour- nal of Computer-Mediated Communication3(2) (2006) https://doi.org/10.1111/ j.1083-6101.1997.tb00072.x 39

    work page arXiv 2006

  23. [23]

    Presence

    Murphy, D., Skarbez, R.: What Do We Mean When We Say “Presence”? PRES- ENCE: Virtual and Augmented Reality29, 171–190 (2020) https://doi.org/10. 1162/pres a 00360

    2020

  24. [24]

    Frontiers in Virtual Reality3(2022) https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2022.914392

    Slater, M., Banakou, D., Beacco, A., Gallego, J., Macia-Varela, F., Oliva, R.: A separate reality: An update on place illusion and plausibility in virtual reality. Frontiers in Virtual Reality3(2022) https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2022.914392

    work page doi:10.3389/frvir.2022.914392 2022

  25. [25]

    Presence Connect3(3), 1–5 (2003)

    Slater, M.: A note on presence terminology. Presence Connect3(3), 1–5 (2003)

    2003

  26. [26]

    In: Presence 2003: The 6th Annual International Workshop on Presence, Aalborg, Denmark, pp

    Slater, M., Brogni, A., Steed, A.: Physiological responses to breaks in presence: A pilot study. In: Presence 2003: The 6th Annual International Workshop on Presence, Aalborg, Denmark, pp. 1–4 (2003)

    2003

  27. [27]

    Presence: Teleop- erators and Virtual Environments7(1), 78–89 (1998) https://doi.org/10.1162/ 105474698565541

    Zahorik, P., Jenison, R.L.: Presence as being-in-the-world. Presence: Teleop- erators and Virtual Environments7(1), 78–89 (1998) https://doi.org/10.1162/ 105474698565541

    1998

  28. [28]

    In: 5th Annual International Workshop on Presence, Porto, Portugal, pp

    Spagnolli, A., Gamberini, L.: Immersion/emersion: Presence in hybrid environ- ments. In: 5th Annual International Workshop on Presence, Porto, Portugal, pp. 1–14 (2002)

    2002

  29. [29]

    In: EU Future and Emerging Technologies, Presence Initiative Meeting, vol

    Biocca, F.: Can we resolve the book, the physical reality, and the dream state problems? from the two-pole to a three-pole model of shifts in presence. In: EU Future and Emerging Technologies, Presence Initiative Meeting, vol. 12, pp. 13–69 (2003)

    2003

  30. [30]

    In: Lom- bard, M., Biocca, F., Freeman, J., IJsselsteijn, W., Schaevitz, R.J

    Laarni, J., Ravaja, N., Saari, T., B¨ ocking, S., Hartmann, T., Schramm, H.: Ways to Measure Spatial Presence: Review and Future Directions. In: Lom- bard, M., Biocca, F., Freeman, J., IJsselsteijn, W., Schaevitz, R.J. (eds.) Immersed in Media, pp. 139–185. Springer, Cham (2015). https://doi.org/10. 1007/978-3-319-10190-3 8

    2015

  31. [31]

    ACM Computing Survey54(8) (2021) https://doi.org/10

    Souza, V., Maciel, A., Nedel, L., Kopper, R.: Measuring presence in virtual envi- ronments: A survey. ACM Computing Survey54(8) (2021) https://doi.org/10. 1145/3466817

    2021

  32. [32]

    In: Proceedings of the 29th Annual Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques

    Meehan, M., Insko, B., Whitton, M., Brooks, F.P.: Physiological measures of presence in stressful virtual environments. In: Proceedings of the 29th Annual Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques. SIGGRAPH ’02, pp. 645–652, San Antonio, Texas (2002). https://doi.org/10.1145/566570.566630

    work page doi:10.1145/566570.566630 2002

  33. [33]

    PLOS one13(7) (2018) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200306 40

    Peterson, S.M., Furuichi, E., Ferris, D.P.: Effects of virtual reality high heights exposure during beam-walking on physiological stress and cognitive loading. PLOS one13(7) (2018) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200306 40

    work page doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0200306 2018

  34. [34]

    Media Psychology20(3), 477–501 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2016

    Liebold, B., Brill, M., Pietschmann, D., Schwab, F., Ohler, P.: Continuous Mea- surement of Breaks in Presence: Psychophysiology and Orienting Responses. Media Psychology20(3), 477–501 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2016. 1206829

    work page doi:10.1080/15213269.2016 2017

  35. [35]

    Computers in Human Behavior Reports18, 100637 (2025) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2025.100637

    Holl, E., Huber, K., Pietschmann, D., Liebold, B.: Being here, being there: Investigating cognitive and attentional mechanisms of breaks in presence using psychophysiological and reaction time measures. Computers in Human Behavior Reports18, 100637 (2025) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2025.100637

    work page doi:10.1016/j.chbr.2025.100637 2025

  36. [36]

    Journal of Neural Engineering21(4), 046015 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/ad5cc2

    Savalle, E., Pillette, L., Won, K., Argelaguet, F., L´ ecuyer, A., J-M Mac´ e, M.: Towards electrophysiological measurement of presence in virtual reality through auditory oddball stimuli. Journal of Neural Engineering21(4), 046015 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/ad5cc2

    work page doi:10.1088/1741-2552/ad5cc2 2024

  37. [37]

    In: Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

    Schwind, V., Knierim, P., Haas, N., Henze, N.: Using presence questionnaires in virtual reality. In: Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. CHI ’19, pp. 1–12, Glasgow, Scotland Uk (2019). https: //doi.org/10.1145/3290605.3300590

    work page doi:10.1145/3290605.3300590 2019

  38. [38]

    Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments13(4), 484–493 (2004) https://doi.org/10.1162/1054746041944849

    Slater, M.: How colorful was your day? why questionnaires cannot assess presence in virtual environments. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments13(4), 484–493 (2004) https://doi.org/10.1162/1054746041944849

    work page doi:10.1162/1054746041944849 2004

  39. [39]

    International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction28(8), 511–529 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2011.627298

    Chung, J., Gardner, H.J.: Temporal presence variation in immersive computer games. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction28(8), 511–529 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2011.627298

    work page doi:10.1080/10447318.2011.627298 2012

  40. [40]

    Virtual Reality27(2), 651–675 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-022-00685-9

    Slater, M., Cabriera, C., Senel, G., Banakou, D., Beacco, A., Oliva, R., Gallego, J.: The sentiment of a virtual rock concert. Virtual Reality27(2), 651–675 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-022-00685-9

    work page doi:10.1007/s10055-022-00685-9 2023

  41. [41]

    In: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Virtual Reality Continuum and Its Applications in Industry

    Chung, J., Gardner, H.J.: Measuring temporal variation in presence during game playing. In: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Virtual Reality Continuum and Its Applications in Industry. VRCAI ’09, pp. 163–168, Yokohama, Japan (2009). https://doi.org/10.1145/1670252.1670287

    work page doi:10.1145/1670252.1670287 2009

  42. [42]

    ESF, Paris, France (1994)

    Vermersch, P.: L’entretien D’explicitation. ESF, Paris, France (1994). English version: The Explicitation Interview (2007, independently published): https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324976173 The explicitation interview

    work page arXiv 1994

  43. [43]

    Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences18(4), 691–730 (2019) https://doi.org/10.1007/s11097-018-9597-4

    Petitmengin, C., Remillieux, A., Valenzuela-Moguillansky, C.: Discovering the structures of lived experience. Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences18(4), 691–730 (2019) https://doi.org/10.1007/s11097-018-9597-4

    work page doi:10.1007/s11097-018-9597-4 2019

  44. [44]

    Le 41 travail humain79(3), 259–284 (2016) https://doi.org/10.3917/th.793.0259

    Cahour, B., Salembier, P., Zouinar, M.: Analyzing lived experience of activity. Le 41 travail humain79(3), 259–284 (2016) https://doi.org/10.3917/th.793.0259

    work page doi:10.3917/th.793.0259 2016

  45. [45]

    Intellectica

    Petitmengin, C.: L’´ enaction comme exp´ erience v´ ecue. Intellectica. Revue de l’Association pour la Recherche Cognitive43(1), 85–92 (2006) https://doi.org/ 10.3406/intel.2006.1333

    work page doi:10.3406/intel.2006.1333 2006

  46. [46]

    Van Someren, M.W., Barnard, Y.F., Sandberg, J.A.: The Think Aloud Method: a Practical Approach to Modelling Cognitive Processes, pp. 1–208. Academic Press, London, England (1994)

    1994

  47. [47]

    Phe- nomenology and the Cognitive Sciences5(3), 271–301 (2006) https://doi.org/10

    Hurlburt, R.T., Akhter, S.A.: The Descriptive Experience Sampling method. Phe- nomenology and the Cognitive Sciences5(3), 271–301 (2006) https://doi.org/10. 1007/s11097-006-9024-0

    2006

  48. [48]

    Theureau, J.: Le Cours D’action: M´ ethode D´ evelopp´ ee, pp. 1–384. Octares, Editions, Toulouse, France (2006)

    2006

  49. [49]

    In: 2018 IEEE Games, Entertainment, Media Conference (GEM), Galway, pp

    Quesnel, D., Stepanova, E.R., Aguilar, I.A., Pennefather, P., Riecke, B.E.: Creat- ing AWE: Artistic and Scientific Practices in Research-Based Design for Exploring a Profound Immersive Installation. In: 2018 IEEE Games, Entertainment, Media Conference (GEM), Galway, pp. 200–207 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1109/GEM. 2018.8516463

    work page doi:10.1109/gem 2018

  50. [50]

    Frontiers in Robotics and AI , author =

    Stepanova, E.R., Quesnel, D., Riecke, B.E.: Understanding awe: Can a virtual journey, inspired by the overview effect, lead to an increased sense of intercon- nectedness? Frontiers in Digital Humanities6, 1–21 (2019) https://doi.org/10. 3389/fdigh.2019.00009

    work page arXiv 2019

  51. [51]

    Multi- modal Technologies and Interaction3(1), 1–17 (2019) https://doi.org/10.3390/ mti3010017

    Montuwy, A., Cahour, B., Dommes, A.: Using sensory wearable devices to navigate the city: Effectiveness and user experience in older pedestrians. Multi- modal Technologies and Interaction3(1), 1–17 (2019) https://doi.org/10.3390/ mti3010017

    2019

  52. [52]

    International Journal of Human-Computer Studies192, 1–21 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.ijhcs.2024.103342

    Rivi` ere, J.-P., Vinet, L., Pri´ e, Y.: Towards the use of virtual reality prototypes in architecture to collect user experiences: An assessment of the comparability of patient experiences in a virtual and a real ambulatory pathway. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies192, 1–21 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.ijhcs.2024.103342

    work page arXiv 2024

  53. [53]

    In: Proceed- ings of the 2018 Designing Interactive Systems Conference

    Prpa, M., Tatar, K., Fran¸ coise, J., Riecke, B., Schiphorst, T., Pasquier, P.: Attend- ing to breath: Exploring how the cues in a virtual environment guide the attention to breath and shape the quality of experience to support mindfulness. In: Proceed- ings of the 2018 Designing Interactive Systems Conference. DIS ’18, pp. 71–84, Hong Kong, China (2018)....

    work page doi:10.1145/3196709.3196765 2018

  54. [54]

    A False Reality

    Hu, X., Dalsgaard, T.-S., Hornbæk, K.: “A False Reality”? A Micro- phenomenology of Avatars in VR, pp. 77–96. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg (2025). 42 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-93861-0 5

    work page doi:10.1007/978-3-031-93861-0 2025

  55. [55]

    In: Proceedings of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

    Knibbe, J., Schjerlund, J., Petraeus, M., Hornbæk, K.: The dream is collapsing: The experience of exiting VR. In: Proceedings of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. CHI ’18, pp. 1–13, Montreal QC, Canada (2018). https://doi.org/10.1145/3173574.3174057

    work page doi:10.1145/3173574.3174057 2018

  56. [56]

    SAGE Publishing, London, United Kingdom (2022)

    Braun, V., Clarke, V.: Thematic Analysis: a Practical Guide. SAGE Publishing, London, United Kingdom (2022)

    2022

  57. [57]

    IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics22(12), 2579–2593 (2016) https://doi.org/ 10.1109/tvcg.2015.2511718

    Hogan, T., Hinrichs, U., Hornecker, E.: The elicitation interview technique: Capturing people’s experiences of data representations. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics22(12), 2579–2593 (2016) https://doi.org/ 10.1109/tvcg.2015.2511718

    work page doi:10.1109/tvcg.2015.2511718 2016

  58. [58]

    Constructivist Foundations14(2), 123–145 (2019)

    Valenzuela-Moguillansky, C., V´ asquez-Rosati, A.: An analysis procedure for the micro-phenomenological interview. Constructivist Foundations14(2), 123–145 (2019)

    2019

  59. [59]

    Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences 22(4), 867–905 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1007/s11097-021-09743-0

    Alcaraz-Sanchez, A.: Awareness in the void: a micro-phenomenological explo- ration of conscious dreamless sleep. Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences 22(4), 867–905 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1007/s11097-021-09743-0

    work page doi:10.1007/s11097-021-09743-0 2021

  60. [60]

    In: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, vol

    Wilkinson, M., Brantley, S., Feng, J.: A mini review of presence and immersion in virtual reality. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, vol. 65. Baltimore, USA, pp. 1099–1103 (2021). https://doi.org/ 10.1177/1071181321651148

    work page doi:10.1177/1071181321651148 2021

  61. [61]

    Journal of Experimental Psychology: General153(6), 1500–1516 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001576

    Maymon, C.N., Crawford, M.T., Blackburne, K., Botes, A., Carnegie, K., Mehr, S.A., Meier, J., Murphy, J., Miles, N.L., Robinson, K., Tooley, M., Grimshaw, G.M.: The presence of fear: How subjective fear, not physiological changes, shapes the experience of presence. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General153(6), 1500–1516 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1037...

    work page doi:10.1037/xge0001576 2024

  62. [62]

    Journal of Clinical Medicine11(2), 345 (2022) https://doi.org/ 10.3390/jcm11020345

    Bulteau, S., Laurin, A., Bach-Ngohou, K., P´ er´ e, M., Vibet, M.-A., Hardouin, J.- B., Sebille, V., Lagalice, L., Faurel-Paul, E., Acier, D., Rabeyron, T., Riche, V.-P., Sauvaget, A., Melki, F., Vigier, T., Perreira Da Silva, M., Charlet, O., Pri´ e, Y.: Feasibility of combining transcranial direct current stimulation and active fully embodied virtual re...

    work page doi:10.3390/jcm11020345 2022

  63. [63]

    Frontiers in Neuroscience15(2021) https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2021

    Holtze, B., Jaeger, M., Debener, S., Adilo˘ glu, K., Mirkovic, B.: Are they calling my name? attention capture is reflected in the neural tracking of attended and ignored speech. Frontiers in Neuroscience15(2021) https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2021. 643705 43

    work page doi:10.3389/fnins.2021 2021

  64. [64]

    Frontiers in Neurology8(2017) https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2017.00211

    Huppert, D., Grill, E., Brandt, T.: A new questionnaire for estimating the severity of visual height intolerance and acrophobia by a metric interval scale. Frontiers in Neurology8(2017) https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2017.00211

    work page doi:10.3389/fneur.2017.00211 2017

  65. [65]

    Behaviour Research and Therapy27(5), 561–567 (1989) https://doi.org/ 10.1016/0005-7967(89)90091-0

    Abelson, J.L., Curtis, G.C.: Cardiac and neuroendocrine responses to exposure therapy in height phobics: Desynchrony within the ‘physiological response sys- tem’. Behaviour Research and Therapy27(5), 561–567 (1989) https://doi.org/ 10.1016/0005-7967(89)90091-0

    work page doi:10.1016/0005-7967(89)90091-0 1989

  66. [66]

    lawful acquisition

    Xiao, C., Yu, D., Hornbæk, K., Bergstr¨ om, J.: A concept at work: A review of motivations, operationalizations, and conclusions in VR research about presence. In: Proceedings of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. CHI ’25, Yokohama, Japan (2025). https://doi.org/10.1145/3706598. 3714279

    work page doi:10.1145/3706598 2025

  67. [67]

    In: Bourdot, P., Interrante, V., Nedel, L., Magnenat-Thalmann, N., Zachmann, G

    Khenak, N., V´ ezien, J.-M., Bourdot, P.: The Construction and Validation of the SP-IE Questionnaire: An Instrument for Measuring Spatial Presence in Immersive Environments. In: Bourdot, P., Interrante, V., Nedel, L., Magnenat-Thalmann, N., Zachmann, G. (eds.) Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, pp. 201–225. Springer, Cham (2019). https://doi.org/10.10...

    work page doi:10.1007/978-3-030-31908-3 2019

  68. [68]

    IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics26(12), 3467–3478 (2020) https://doi

    Khenak, N., Vezien, J., Bourdot, P.: Spatial presence, performance, and behavior between real, remote, and virtual immersive environments. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics26(12), 3467–3478 (2020) https://doi. org/10.1109/tvcg.2020.3023574

    work page doi:10.1109/tvcg.2020.3023574 2020

  69. [69]

    Journal of Consciousness Studies16(10-12), 363–404 (2009)

    Petitmengin, C.: The validity of first-person descriptions as authenticity and coherence. Journal of Consciousness Studies16(10-12), 363–404 (2009)

    2009

  70. [70]

    Lystbæk, Anna Maria Feit, Ken Pfeuffer, Peter Kán, Antti Oulasvirta, and Kaj Grønbæk

    Tao, Y., Lopes, P.: Integrating real-world distractions into virtual reality. In: Proceedings of the 35th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology. UIST ’22, Bend, OR, USA (2022). https://doi.org/10.1145/3526113. 3545682 .https://doi.org/10.1145/3526113.3545682

    work page doi:10.1145/3526113 2022

  71. [71]

    Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking27(2), 127–134 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2023.0314 https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2023.0314

    Ribeiro, N., Vigier, T., Han, J., Kwon, G.H., Choi, H., Bulteau, S., Pri´ e, Y.: Three virtual reality environments for the assessment of exec- utive functioning using performance scores and kinematics: An embodied and ecological approach to cognition. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking27(2), 127–134 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2023...

    work page doi:10.1089/cyber.2023.0314 2024

  72. [72]

    Gibson, J.J.: The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception: Classic Edition, pp. 1–346. Psychology Press, New York, NY, USA (1979). https://doi.org/10.4324/ 9781315740218 .http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315740218

    work page doi:10.4324/9781315740218 1979

  73. [73]

    Virtual Reality 44 27(2), 1173–1185 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-022-00719-2 45

    Kelly, N.J., Hallam, J., Bignell, S.: Using interpretative phenomenological analysis to gain a qualitative understanding of presence in virtual reality. Virtual Reality 44 27(2), 1173–1185 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-022-00719-2 45

    work page doi:10.1007/s10055-022-00719-2 2022