This research project aims to contribute to a better understanding of unusual experiences in young people. Unusual experiences include seeing or hearing things that other people cannot see or hear, believing that someone is following you, or having thoughts that seem strange to others, such as the idea of having supernatural powers. Many young people have such experiences, and only for some do these experiences cause distress or occur in the context of a mental health disorder.

The aim of the project was to better understand how unusual experiences may play a role in the social performance of young people. A virtual reality headset was used to carry out the study. In the virtual environment, adolescents heard ambiguous comments from nearby avatars. The study drew on behavioral data, physiological measurements, and questionnaire responses.

The results of the study were published on Springer Nature Link on March 17, 2025.