| Job specification: |
- Immersive technologies like Virtual (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) and 360-degree movies (together coined under the umbrella term XR) have become more widely applied in the health domain in the past few years. A major application area is healthcare, where it is employed in pain management, phobia treatment and surgery training. XR has received relatively less attention as a persuasive technology to stimulate preventive health behaviors like healthy eating. Encouraging preventive health behavior has been proven to be challenging. Persuasive technologies employ strategies from behavioral change theories to influence behavioral precursors like attitudes, preferences, and habits. The persuasive power of XR has till now mainly been explored in the context of marketing and less in the field of health behavior change.
- The aim of the project is to explore the potential of XR for stimulating health behavior, and more specifically healthy eating behavior. The candidate will be involved in ongoing projects in which these technologies are employed in the context of eating behavior. Further, the candidate will independently set up (experimental) studies to investigate how features of immersive technology affect behavioral change mechanisms and ultimately behavior. Preferably, the candidate also contributes to the development or adaptation of XR environments to be used in the studies.
- Applications should be sent before the application deadline of July 1, 2019. Interviews are expected to be held in the second week of July. The only way to apply is online.
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