Process Model of the Formation of Spatial Presence
Matthias Höfer · The International Encyclopedia of Media Psychology · 2020
Spatial presence is defined as the experience of being located in a mediated environment and being able to act within this environment. The process model of the formation of spatial presence describes the emergence of spatial presence as a two‐step process. The first step consists of the formation of a mental model of the mediated environment. In the second step this mental model becomes the user's primary frame of reference. In other words, the user feels spatially present within this mediated and not his or her actual environment. At both stages of the formation process media and user variables (both personality traits and processes) can enhance or hinder the formation of a mental model or the feeling of spatial presence, respectively. This entry gives a short overview of the presence concept and discusses theory of and research on the model by Wirth and colleagues.