A virtual environment is an online environment where things can be posted, participated in, and manipulated by the users. Virtual environments encompass things like virtual reality, multi-user games, shared communities or similar. When you complete this week’s assignment, think about what virtual environmentsyou spend time in. Below are some links to examples of virtual reality environments.
HoloLens: Holographic computer that allows you to interact with hologram
Active Worlds: Users create their own worlds and custom 3D content
Write a 2- to 3-page paper in APA format that describes the pros and cons of this type of environment. Make sure to include the following information within your paper.
1.Describe what virtual environments you use (e.g., World of Warcraft, fantasy football, Second Life).
2.Share how long you spend in these environments. Fun fact: The average American spends nearly eight hours a day staring at screens (computer, phone, TV, etc.).
3.Is new virtual reality technology, such as Oculus Rift, the same as an environment such as Fantasy Football or Facebook? Why or why not?
4.How might you apply the functionalism theory to explain the virtual environment experience for someone with social anxiety issues?
5.Include how each of the perspectives explains the concept of virtual reality/environments. Try to view the problem from each perspective by asking the kinds of questions a theorist would ask if they were a functionalist, conflict theorist, or symbolic interactionist. For this this assignment, you could ask yourself:
oWhat is the function of virtual reality/environment? What role does this play in our culture? (Functionalism)
oWhat conflicts arise because of virtual reality/environments? How do you feel about the technology gap? Is there inequality present? (Conflict theory)
oWhat does virtual reality/environment mean to us as a society? When we interact on the Internet, explore virtual environments, and make connections online, what do these relationships mean? (Symbolic interactionism)
Answer preview
People dealing with social anxiety disorder find it hard to interact with others socially (Gega et al., 2013). Such a condition stems from the fear of negatively getting evaluated by those around them, which might lead to embarrassment or self-consciousness. Functionalism theory posits that society is made up of a cluster of parts, each important on its accord but still needing other parts to function efficiently. The theory is, at times, used to explain the virtual experience for a person with SAD. At times, during treatment, persons with SAD get placed in virtual environments. Within such environments, they get exposed to social interactions they would typically fear (Gega et al., 2013). Caregivers will then walk them through such communications, and make suggestions regarding how they should handle
