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VR Study Says 40% of Us Are Paranoid

Roland Piquepaille writes "UK researchers have recently used virtual reality to check if people had paranoid thoughts when using public transportation. Their VR tube ride experiment revealed that 40% of the participants experienced exaggerated fears about threats from others. Until now, researchers were relying on somewhat unreliable questionnaires to study paranoid thoughts which are often triggered by ambiguous events such as someone laughing behind their back. With the use of VR, psychiatrists and psychologists have a new tool which can reliably recreate social interactions. As the lead researcher said, VR 'is a uniquely powerful method to detect those liable to misinterpret other people.'."

9 of 221 comments (clear)

  1. Going to be used against us by El_Muerte_TDS · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm sure these statistics are going to be used against us by the government to push some new laws to will limit our freedom.

    1. Re:Going to be used against us by Jurily · · Score: 5, Funny

      Remember, it's only paranoia if they're not out to get you!

  2. Somewhat unreliable by Jurily · · Score: 4, Funny

    Until now, researchers were relying on somewhat unreliable questionnaires to study paranoid thoughts Like any decent paranoid is going fill those out honestly?
  3. Re:Sounds dangerous.... by Ethanol-fueled · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Paranoia" is only a healthy adjustment to the modern world, which IS out to get you. If it's not the terrorists and pedophiles it's the corporations or the government.

  4. Patenting new business plan... by JamesTRexx · · Score: 5, Funny

    1- Sell tin foil hats at subway stations
    2- ?????
    3- 40% Profit!

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    home
  5. Re:Huh? by gardyloo · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yes, but if you lived in Britain 200 years ago, and you're reading this, you're also crazy.

  6. Re:wrong much? by TeknoHog · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's not paranoia, it's normal.

    I'll choose the halfway option: it's paranormal.

    --
    Escher was the first MC and Giger invented the HR department.
  7. Re:wrong much? by ignavus · · Score: 4, Funny

    "if I take one step towards a bird without even looking at it or intending to eat it..."

    You're a cat, aren't you? Come on, 'fess up.

    Hey everybody, there's a cat posting on Slashdot! I thought only dogs were able to post anonymously on the Internet.

    (And another proof you are a cat: you misspelled "paranoia". It is well known that cats can't spell. I've seen Lolcats. I'm not fooled.)

    --
    I am anarch of all I survey.
  8. Re:Sounds dangerous....but bogus by batquux · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's funny. I was thinking if xkcd came up here, it would be referencing this one.