Empathy and Perspective Taking
VR increased empathy and action, particularly towards homelessness, but effectiveness depended on user engagement.
Last updated
VR increased empathy and action, particularly towards homelessness, but effectiveness depended on user engagement.
Last updated
Authors: Virtual Human Interaction Lab
Publication Date: No date provided
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Keywords: VR, perspective taking, immersive technology, cognitive empathy, bias reduction, virtual embodiment, HCI, behavioral change, intergroup relations
Type: Blog
Researchers have studied VR’s role in fostering empathy for over a decade. Recent projects, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, explored empathy at scale, particularly toward homelessness. Studies showed VR increased empathy and action, but effectiveness depended on user engagement. Current research tests whether VR-driven empathy in one domain (e.g., homelessness) can influence behavior in others (e.g., climate change).