Image of the Forest: Cognitive and Affective Responses to Spectral Frequencies in Virtual Nature

Abstract

At present, the average user spends approximately seven hours per day consuming various types of digital media that aim to approximate or enhance real-world experiences. Image of the Forest is an immersive experience that provides a thorough account of the questions central to research on human interaction with artifacts that mimic aspects of nature within computationally generated environments. With the use of affective brain-computer interfaces (aBCIs), we aim to critically reflect on the ability of machine models of reality to provide real world experiences. We also address the research gap in understanding how spectral frequency manipulations can influence cognitive and affective responses.