Within arm's reach: Exploring the effects of hand-based augmented reality on presence and spatial distance estimation

Perceived distances to social targets, such as international communities in need, shape social judgments and helping behaviors. In lieu of a direct visit to such communities, bridging perceived spatial distances via narrative or traditional media is limited due to the inability to simulate the audiovisual experience of being in the depicted spaces. However, augmented reality (AR) can overlay virtual content onto a user's physical environment, creating the illusion of being in a virtual rendering of the depicted community, potentially reducing the perceived distances. This work investigates how learning about distant communities, via a charitable giving AR application, shapes perceived spatial distance and evaluations of a distant community. In study 1, a within-subjects experiment (N = 39) found the AR experience significantly reduced the perceived spatial distance between users and the depicted community. Study 2 (N = 69) employed a 2-condition (input modality: hand-based vs. screen-based) between-subjects experiment using two versions of the app to understand how perceived distance estimates vary as a function of the mode of exploration. Counter to our hypothesis, neither the hand- nor screen-based experience reduced distance estimates, with the hand-based version increasing distance estimates, an effect potentially explained by device-specific factors. Overall, this work contributes to spatial cognition research and demonstrates how AR can distort perceived distances between audiences and distant communities in need. Implications and future research are discussed.