Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
5034122 Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics 2017 7 Pages PDF
Abstract

•A review of research using virtual reality as a tool in experimental economics is provided.•A typology of virtual reality experiments based on the difference between low-immersive (LIVE) and high-immersive virtual environments (HIVE) is proposed.•It is argued that virtual reality experiments are framed field experiments, which allow testing the effect of contextual cues on economic decision-making under the strict control of the experimenter.•This feature enhances replicability and attenuates the context-free illusion that represents an important limitation of the standard laboratory approach in economics.

The paper provides a review of research using virtual reality as a laboratory tool in economics. It addresses the question of whether behavior in virtual environments is a valuable source of empirical evidence for economists. A typology of virtual reality experiments based on the difference between low-immersive (LIVE) and high-immersive virtual environments (HIVE) is proposed. It is argued that virtual reality experiments are framed field experiments, which allow testing the effect of contextual cues on economic behavior under the strict control of the experimenter. This feature enhances replicability and attenuates the context-free illusion that represents an important limitation of the standard laboratory approach in economics.

Related Topics
Social Sciences and Humanities Economics, Econometrics and Finance Economics and Econometrics
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