Decoding Lighting in Real and Virtual Environments: An EEG-Based Analysis of Emotional States

This study investigates the impact of lighting conditions on emotional and cognitive states in real (RE) and virtual reality (VR) environments using the method of electroencephalography (EEG). By leveraging EEG wave bands—Alpha, Beta Low, and Gamma—we examine how neural activity varies under different lighting scenarios, including daylight (DL) and daylight combined with electrical lighting (DL+EL), and across two different conditions: scene experience (EXP) and performing activity (ACT). The paper explores methodologies for quantifying emotional arousal and valence using EEG-derived metrics. Arousal is calculated as a function of Gamma, Beta Low, and Alpha wave amplitudes to capture cognitive engagement and alertness. Emotional valence is assessed through frontal alpha asymmetry, measuring lateralized activity in the brain’s frontal regions to evaluate the polarity of emotional states. By comparing these metrics across RE and VR under different conditions, the study aims to provide insights into the neural and emotional dynamics of lighting perception and its implications for both real and simulated environments. This work bridges neuroscience, environmental psychology, and virtual reality design, offering a comprehensive framework for evaluating the emotional and cognitive effects of lighting in diverse settings.