Virtual reality perspective-taking increases cognitive empathy for specific others

PloS One
Austin van LoonRobb Willer

Abstract

Previous research shows that virtual reality perspective-taking experiences (VRPT) can increase prosocial behavior toward others. We extend this research by exploring whether this effect of VRPT is driven by increased empathy and whether the effect extends to ostensibly real-stakes behavioral games. In a pre-registered laboratory experiment (N = 180), participants interacted with an ostensible partner (a student from the same university as them) on a series of real-stakes economic games after (a) taking the perspective of the partner in a virtual reality, "day-in-the-life" simulation, (b) taking the perspective of a different person in a "day-in-the-life" simulation, or (c) doing a neutral activity in a virtual environment. The VRPT experience successfully increased participants' subsequent propensity to take the perspective of their partner (a facet of empathy), but only if the partner was the same person whose perspective participants assumed in the virtual reality simulation. Further, this effect of VRPT on perspective-taking was moderated by participants' reported feeling of immersion in the virtual environment. However, we found no effects of VRPT experience on behavior in the economic games.

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Citations

Jul 3, 2020·Soa--chʻŏngsonyŏn Chŏngsin Ŭihak = Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·Suji Kim, Eunjoo Kim
Aug 8, 2020·Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking·Sara VenturaRosa Baños
Jan 9, 2021·Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior·Sofia SeinfeldBeatrice de Gelder
Jan 28, 2021·Frontiers in Robotics and AI·Jon Rueda, Francisco Lara
Jan 15, 2019·Journal of Adolescence·Katherine M IngramMary Joyce
May 29, 2021·Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy·Desirée ColomboCristina Botella
Jul 1, 2021·Science and Engineering Ethics·Francisco Lara
Jul 24, 2021·Journal of Clinical Nursing·Mohamad M SaabJosephine Hegarty
Aug 31, 2021·Medical Science Educator·Carrie A Elzie, Jacqueline Shaia
Feb 14, 2021··Sam van der Horst, Jeroen Peeters
Feb 15, 2021··Leonie SimpsonSonam Adinolf
Feb 13, 2020··Vítor J. SáPaulo Veloso Gomes

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Software Mentioned

VRPT
STATA
Qualtrics

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