This paper considers some rst principles that might provide a basis for an objective science of experience (presence or immersion). Dimensions that are considered include classical Newtonian measures of the distal stimulus, changes in neural mechanisms re ecting the proximal stimulus, information theoretic measures of the statistical properties of events, and functional properties related to intentions and abilities. Gibson’s ecological framework is suggested as a promising functional approach for de ning the reality of experience in relation to the problem of designing virtual environments. This approach emphasizes the tight coordination between perception and action and xes the measurement coordinate system relative to the capacity for action.
John M. Flach, John G. Holden