At least moving in this direction: The development and validation of the ARI questionnaire: An instrument for measuring immersion in location-based augmented reality settings.

Georgiou, Yiannis; Kyza, Eleni A.

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, Vol 98, Feb 2017, 24-37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2016.09.014

Abstract

Location-aware Augmented Reality (AR) applications are often argued to provide users with immersive experiences that are situated in the real world. Immersion, which can be seen as a form of cognitive and emotional absorption, has been asserted to promote enjoyment, engagement in a task and even learning. However, such claims remain largely unsubstantiated due to the lack of validated instruments for measuring users’ immersion in location-based AR environments. Attempts to develop validated instruments for evaluating immersion have been few and non-systematic, while existing instruments are oriented towards measuring immersion in the context of non-AR digital games. At the same time, studies seeking to operationalize and measure immersion are still inconclusive; even though immersion is considered as a multi-level psychological construct, it is not yet clear whether there is multidimensionality in each level or not. The present study describes the development and validation of the ARI [Augmented Reality Immersion] questionnaire: an instrument for measuring immersion in AR location-aware settings. To achieve this goal, a multi-step process was employed to develop and validate a novel instrument; analyses included exploratory factor analysis with 202 high school students, followed by a confirmatory factor analysis with 162 high school students. This multi-step process resulted in a 21-item, seven-point Likert-type instrument with satisfactory construct validity, which is based on a multi-leveled model of immersion with multidimensionality in each level. We argue that the ARI questionnaire, as a validated and tested measurement, can be highly useful for researchers and designers in the field of location-based AR. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Wow.  I was just writing about this experience last night.  I can tell you, as an actress and psychology major, the lines between your character and "you" get very blurry.  But definitely executive function can bring you back to "reality," especially when your behavior does not "square" with your beliefs and values.  At that point, there's a cognitive distortion.  I personally will let some "acceptable" behavior by (e.g., afiliative cues) in the name of telling a true story, but I would leave a play before I would cross a line that would compromise my integrity or my spousal relationship.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you referring to the phenomena of "suspension of disbelief?"  From a cognitive perspective, the "disconnect" I understand when you say "altered state" comes from our propensity to view things in a box as being "the way things are." Hence, the "proscenium arch" over the stage, providing a vertical plane between the stage and the audience, or "house."  We tend to view things in the box as being "true," right?  And if what we see doesn't "square" with what we know, we think the problem is with us, or with the things (in this case, actors) in the box; however, we don't immediately think the problem is with the box, right?  So we stay focused on what is being presented to us in the box, trying to "figure it out."  That is, of course, if you enjoy the theatre.  It's not everyone's cup of tea.

The head of the Psychology Department at my Jr. College, Dr. Ruth Casper, did some research on if the altered states of watching 30 minutes of "Whose Line Is It Anyway" had any effect on students' performance on a quiz.  She found some positive correlation.  Her husband, Jerry Casper, is the head of the Theater Department there as well.

Hope this helps bring something to fruition for you!

~Janet Wise 

Dear Hendrika, thanks for this useful suggstion! How would you implement this scale to a theatre play situation? E.g. drop udability subscale, and change the word 'activity' to 'theatre play' in every item? Has anyone implemented this questionnaire or the concept of immersion to non-technologically mediated activities? I found Harvey 1998 for museums e.g., but could not find is 8-item scale, could anyone send me such scales?

Dear Janet, yes, I think 'suspension of disbelief' is related to absorption. Could you send me any scale, that tried to measure this suspension, or other similar mental change, especially linked to theatre?

What about scales for measuring Dissociative Identity Disorder? I mean, look at the physiological evidence.  Our bodies rely on sensory input from the environment to interpret our reality; to maintain a "stable" sense of reality, we need a concrete sense of self; a self-concept.  Feral children don't develop stable self-concepts, because they lack feedback for the developing "self."  Assimilating a role as an actor is certainly different from watching something on a screen, on a stage, or in a box, but the idea of "dissociating" from reality is the same, I think.  Look at the psychological disturbances of Heath Ledger and Leonardo DiCaprio as a consequence of playing psychologically disturbed characters. That said, there may be more implications from your research for dissociative disorders.

I've attached the Dissociative Experiences Scale

Dear Janet, thanks for this scale and idea! I will consider to implement this approach to measure the mental state of healthy actors and audience during theatre play.