VRtual Societies - The Emotional Side of Stereotypes in Virtual Reality
A new study utilized virtual reality (VR) and fMRI to measure real-time brain activity and emotional responses to different social groups, revealing how subconscious stereotypes are triggered by perceived warmth and competence. Findings show that physical proximity to negatively stereotyped outgroup members, even in VR, can evoke discomfort, suggesting VR's potential as a unique tool for studying and possibly reducing prejudice.
Mar 18, 2025
