Virtual placemaking: self-built environments and revisiting shared memories in virtual reality increase group cohesion

Abstract Using virtual reality (VR) to revisit the past is a pervasive theme in philosophy, fiction, and futurism. We conducted a longitudinal exploratory study (N = 136) investigating how collectively revisiting shared real-world social interactions differs from envisioning plausible interactions in VR, and how experiencing self-built virtual environments or those built by others influences psychological and behavioral outcomes. Participants who revisited, compared to those who envisioned, reported greater increases in group cohesion, as well as higher collective psychological ownership and liking of virtual environments. They also used more first-person plural pronouns and language related to affiliation and social behavior. Participants in self-built virtual environments, compared to those in other-built environments, stood closer to others and reported greater increases in group cohesion and higher collective psychological ownership of the virtual environment. We discuss theoretical advances and practical implications for using VR to revisit memories.