Inter-Brain Synchronization during Collaboration in Virtual Reality

Abstract

This paper describes doctoral research engaged in exploring inter-brain synchronization during collaboration in Virtual Reality (VR). Recently, researchers have begun studying the neuroscience of collaboration by simultaneously measuring the brain activity of two or more people using a technique known as hyperscanning. These studies have demonstrated that inter-brain synchrony can occur across a range of collaborative tasks. Nevertheless, all of these studies have been carried out in either face to face in a real-world environment, or remotely using conventional 2D monitors. This presents us with an exciting opportunity to explore how hyperscanning can be applied in Virtual Realty (VR), and to study collaboration in VR from a neuroscience perspective - research that has not been explored to a great extent. VR presents us with the unique opportunity to study collaboration between participants from different visual perspectives - a feature unique to VR. The lessons learned gained from this research will help provide insights into how Virtual Environments (VEs) can be developed to promote inter-brain synchrony in scenarios ranging from VR-based training to counselling and therapy sessions. The research will also provide interesting insights into inter-brain synchronization in the real world.