Navigating Time Through Space: The Role of Spatial Frames of Reference in Spatial and Temporal Perception in Virtual Reality

This study investigated the intricate relationship between spatial frames of reference (egocentric, or self-centered, versus allocentric, or environment-centered) and content eventfulness on subjective time perception within virtual reality (VR) environments. Additionally, it examined how prior VR experience might influence the sense of spatial presence. Seventy-nine participants were recruited to view four 360° VR videos, each systematically manipulated for spatial frame of reference (first-person egocentric vs. third-person allocentric) and content eventfulness (dynamic/narrative vs. neutral/ambient scenes) in a 2x2 within-subjects design. Participants then ranked these videos by perceived duration and completed a modified spatial presence questionnaire. The findings indicated that participants reported a strong sense of spatial presence, particularly for object/people presence and sound localization, confirming the immersive setup's effectiveness. However, tactile engagement received lower ratings. Crucially, prior VR experience did not significantly affect participants' perceived spatial presence. Regarding time perception, allocentric videos, especially those with eventful content, were more frequently perceived as longer in duration. Conversely, egocentric videos, particularly the uneventful ones, were consistently perceived as shorter, with the egocentric-uneventful condition demonstrating a statistically significant compression of perceived duration. This suggests that egocentric framing might compress subjective time, possibly by enhancing embodiment. The study also clarified that the presentation order of the videos did not significantly influence temporal judgments. This research highlights the complex interaction between spatial framing and content in shaping time perception in immersive environments, reinforcing the idea that space and time are deeply interdependent in human cognition.