Exploring virtual reality for quality immersive empathy building experiences
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Journal ArticleDate:
2021Access:
openAccessCitation:
Young, G.W., Smolic, A., O'Dwyer, N., Exploring virtual reality for quality immersive empathy building experiences, Behaviour & Information Technology, 2021, 1 - 18Download Item:
Final - Exploring Virtual Reality for Quality Immersive Empathy Building Experiences.pdf (Accepted for publication (author's copy) - Peer Reviewed) 652.1Kb
Abstract:
Virtual reality (VR) technology presents users with virtual environments that allow them to experience
various interactive, immersive, and imaginary experiences. While traditional perspective-taking
exercises rely on the participant to imagine a self-other merging process to feel connected with other
people (typically using second and third-person narrative perspectives), VR can allow an individual to
embody an other through first-person narratives delivered via multimodal — visual, aural, haptic —
technology-mediated experiences. This process enables users to perceptually and effectively portal into
somebody else's body, where they can potentially see, hear, and feel from the point of view of the
protagonist and control choices on their behalf in real-time. This article explores the use of VR as an
"empathy-making machine" by facilitating perspective-taking and allowing users to experience another
person's circumstances. An experiment was performed to compare two different types of perspective-
taking VR applications. Levels of empathy, oneness, and attitudes towards a protagonist or focus group
within VR materials were captured. Participants then identified the elements of the VR content that
contributed to a quality experience. These measures were used to discuss methodologies and
techniques for creating quality empathy-building experiences. The findings of this research will be used
to inform future creative technology projects presented in VR.
Sponsor
Grant Number
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
15/RP/2776
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/younggahttp://people.tcd.ie/smolica
http://people.tcd.ie/odwyerne
Description:
PUBLISHEDType of material:
Journal ArticleCollections:
Series/Report no:
Behaviour & Information Technology;Availability:
Full text availableKeywords:
Empathy, Perspective-taking, Creative technology, Virtual RealitySubject (TCD):
Creative Technologies , Empathy , HCI , Virtual RealityDOI:
https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2021.1993336Licences: