A constructionist cognitive model of virtual presence

This paper proposes a cognitive model of presence which emphasizes the interaction of top-down and bottom-up processes, and the subsequent creation of temporary representations of an environment in working memory. These temporary representations (which we term constructions) are formations of meaning about the environment, which allow a subject to make inferences and interact in that environment. We argue that this constructionist position follows from the existence of hypothesis selection models of presence such as proposed by Slater & Steed. Finally, we contrast our model to that of Wirth et al and discuss some of the implications of this model for presence in unfamiliar or unrealistic environments