Search

A consumer study was administered in order to test the effects of utilizing augmented reality in online shopping for an apparel item. A theoretical model was developed as a framework for the analysis and included telepresence, attitude, and product knowledge as independent variables, and purchase intent as the dependent variable. The results of the analysis suggested that only attitude predicted purchase intent. Attitude was affected directly by the stimulus, telepresence, and product knowledge. This implied that augmented reality has the potential to positively impact purchase intent, if and only if it can positively impact attitude.

Social networks are associated with positive health outcomes such as higher ratings of life-satisfaction, reduced risk of mortality, and decreased cardiovascular responses. Similarly, religiosity has been found to be beneficial to both physical and mental health. Specifically, religious involvement has been associated with decreased blood pressure and heart rate. Further, a social presence during a stressful event has been associated with reduced stress as measured by heart rate, blood pressure, and lower self-reported stress. However, this social buffering may not extend to a perceived presence, such as a higher deity. The current experiment examined whether prayer could reduce stress responses (blood pressure, heart rate, and self-reported anxiety levels) during a stressful situation and found that blood pressure and heart rate were not significantly related to treatment condition. However, a marginal association between condition and self-reported anxiety was found, suggesting that social buffering can be offered through prayer.