Possibilities for decision science in the metaverse

Article


Dhami, M. and Zhu, Y. 2024. Possibilities for decision science in the metaverse. Decision. 11 (4), pp. 523-536. https://doi.org/10.1037/dec0000235
TypeArticle
TitlePossibilities for decision science in the metaverse
AuthorsDhami, M. and Zhu, Y.
Abstract

As the next generation of the internet, the metaverse will be an immersive, interactive and persistent, three-dimensional world that merges both physical and virtual environments. Its associated advanced technologies (e.g., digital twins, avatar self-representation, virtual reality, augmented reality, extended reality, brain-computer interface, artificial intelligence, machine learning, Internet-of-Things, blockchain technology) are already functioning, and people are able to experience and make decisions in immersive virtual environments. In this paper, we first briefly assess the similarities and differences in the judgment and decision making (JDM) situations that people may face in the metaverse compared to their physical environments. Next, we discuss how human interaction with metaverse-related advanced technologies may affect the cognitive processes of perception, attention, memory and reasoning that underlie human JDM, as well as the subsequent effects of these processes on JDM, in both the virtual and physical worlds. Finally, we highlight some opportunities that the metaverse may afford decision scientists, given the availability of integrated, digitalized data collected from users (or research participants), and some of the challenges that lie therein. We structure these opportunities around the five key metaverse domains: digitalization, virtualization, social networks, virtual worlds, and data integration. As a research platform, the metaverse can help drive a paradigm shift away from traditional approaches to JDM research and enable decision scientists to test and consolidate existing theories as well as advance new ones, while conducting research that has social benefits.

KeywordsJudgment and decision making; metaverse; immersive virtual environment; cognitive processes; advanced technology
Sustainable Development Goals9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Middlesex University ThemeCreativity, Culture & Enterprise
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA)
JournalDecision
ISSN2325-9965
Electronic2325-9973
Publication dates
Online01 Aug 2024
PrintOct 2024
Publication process dates
Submitted30 May 2023
Accepted16 Feb 2024
Deposited21 Feb 2024
Output statusPublished
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Restricted
Publisher's version
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File Access Level
Open
Copyright Statement

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND4.0; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc-nd/4.0). This license permits copying and redistributing the work in any medium or format for non commercial use provided the original authors and source are credited and a link to the license is included in attribution. No derivative works are permitted under this license.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1037/dec0000235
LanguageEnglish
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