In "Virtual therapy ‘helps with depression’, researchers say", Dominic Howell (2016) talks about the promising method for treating those who are suffered from mental disorders, especially for patient with anxiety and depression. This novel therapy is associated with the use of virtual reality technology through an embodiment technique with a specially designed headset. Its concept is that patients firstly act as therapists to help console a small crying child by saying compassionate phrases. Then, they are asked to change the new headset to experience the avatar of the child instead, playing a role of patients. Afterwards, they are in a reversed situation and hear their same phrases spoken back. Prof. Brewin, one of the main researchers of the new treatment, said that "In this study, by comforting the child and then hearing their own words back, patients are indirectly giving themselves compassion.The aim was to teach patients to be more compassionate towards themselves and less self-critical."
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My Yes/No question is:
Should we count on virtual reality technology?
My answer is:
Yes, we should. There are many successful applications regarding current virtual reality technology supporting my answer. Similarly, big technology companies like Google, Samsung, Facebook etc. are keen on developing and doing in this business. Its application seems board. At least, the new therapy I posted is somewhat helpful in terms of medical science. Another clear example is to be applied as training tools—Driving or Aviation simulators—that help driver and pilot experience the similar situation to real conditions as practices, which can results in more safety and less expense. Apart from those applications, we also see modern games that are controlled and played in the virtual world. This makes players feel more emotional and related to events in games. Moreover, educational development tends to be toward computer-aided learning by virtual reality technology so that students can learn conveniently and efficiently.
In the future, I believe this technology will be applied extensively and continuously due to several advantages. I have heard from my friends that e-commerce or the similar businesses are being developed toward more advanced progress. They intend to use virtual glasses as one of methods for shopping at home. When wearing the glasses, customers do not have to go to supermarkets or department stores because they can see, select and buy product as if they were shopping at the real places. They will be able to save time from traffic jam or save money from travelling cost. That would be amazing technology for many people including me. Perhaps, virtual glasses will help us survey and travel under sea or even space. This would be useful for those who are handicapped and are not comfortable to walk or move since they possibly travel through their virtual glasses. I am looking forward to seeing its creative applications for better lifestyle soon.
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I don't know much about virtual reality technology, but Feem's report in his Source Background section shows that it's coming along very quickly. I liked the example of how it can be used to treat psychological problems.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do see the news stories about its development by Google and others. Perhaps I'll wake up one day to discover that I can do all of my daily business from my bed via virtual reality. Will that the cool, or will that be very uncool?
That’s possible, Peter. Based on individual preference, it’s hard to say if it is cool or uncool. But, supposed we fully used virtual glasses for teaching English rather than the traditional method, it might be great because you would be able to take students to learn English and interact in the class under different virtual situations. This is an advanced technology which helps the class able to experience simulating situations. For instance, the lesson is about the situation in an airport, and everyone can learn English under that circumstance via virtual reality so that they feel enjoyed and can effectively imagine as well as link the knowledge you teach to the virtual world.
DeleteI am convinced that this kind of technology is becoming more popular soon due to interesting, extensive applications.