Simulated And Virtual Realities

10 Social dimensions of virtual reality¹

Deborah Foster and John F. Meech

10.1 Introduction

Virtual reality has become a widely publicized technology and as such has provoked a great deal of speculation about the effects it might have on both individuals and society as a whole. Schroeder (1993) highlights the fact that the speculations (good and bad) about virtual reality—that it may threaten our sense of reality and change people for better or for worse—are as much a reflection of current beliefs about society as a whole as they are about virtual reality in particular.

This chapter seeks to evaluate the social dimensions of virtual reality. In doing so it is proposed that any form of new technology requires analysis within a social context: ...