CONTACT RESEARCH NETWORK - Virtual Realities, Real Change: New Frontiers in Tackling Bias with VR and Embodiment
In this episode, we dive into the world of Virtual Reality and prejudice reduction. We explore whether embodying a different avatar can truly build empathy, when these immersive experiences might backfire and inadvertently increase bias, how researchers are using VR to tackle real-world problems like hiring discrimination and what the future holds for this powerful technology. The episode features Cassandra Crone and Dr Matilde Tassinari. We learned a lot from them, so we hope you enjoy the conversation as well!
Jul 3, 2025
THE SCIENCE BASEMENT - Can virtual reality (VR) help fight prejudice?
Virtual reality (VR) offers a unique immersive experience that can allow users to "step into the shoes" of stigmatized minorities, potentially fostering empathy and reducing prejudice. However, the effectiveness of VR for prejudice reduction varies, with positive emotional experiences and cooperative interactions generally leading to better outcomes, while negative emotions or competitive scenarios can sometimes backfire, highlighting the need for careful design of VR interventions.
Oct 8, 2022