Figure 1.

Experimental design and Presence rating. (A) Experimental paradigm. Different roller coaster scenarios were presented by means of MR-compatible goggles and earphones. Whereas in the High Presence condition the roller coaster ride consisted of spectacular ascending and descending sections and loops, in the Low Presence condition the roller coaster cart followed a winding but horizontal path. (B) Depicted is the mean ± S.E.M. in Presence rating on a 5-point scale, broken down for group (adults/children) and condition (High Presence/Low Presence). The scale measures the subjective impression of how much the subjects felt they were situated in the midst of the action of the roller coaster ride rather than merely observing it. Both adults and children clearly indicated an enhanced presence experience in the High compared to the Low Presence condition. (C) Similar distribution of presence ratings in adults and children, indicating that about 40% of subjects in each group reported a difference in presence rating of less than one between the High and Low Presence condition (referred to in the paper as low Presence rating group), whereas about 60% of subjects in each group reported a difference in the presence rating of higher than or equal to one (referred to as high Presence rating group).