[00:00:00] How can we encourage people to become more compassionate and empathetic towards those who face ill treatment and discrimination? Researchers from Nigeria, the us, the UK and Ireland investigate whether different virtual reality or VR experiences could increase empathy in teenagers. With an average age of 15 years, 370 Nigerian adolescents either experienced ethnic discrimination through first person VR observing discrimination directly at themselves, third person VR observing others being discriminated against, a VR role model, a combination of VR perspectives, a written story or no intervention. Researchers used questionnaires measuring empathy, sympathy, compassion and motivation to act immediately after the activity and again two, four and six months later.
[00:00:45] Teens watching VR discrimination from a third person view showed the greatest immediate increase in empathy and compassion. Surprisingly, experiencing discrimination oneself did not produce stronger effects. This suggests that watching from an emotional distance helps people understand another person's experience without becoming overwhelmed. However, the benefits faded over time. Observing another person's experience can build more empathy than experiencing it oneself would. Films compassionately dealing with discrimination work as well as virtual reality we must share, teach and learn how diversity adds value to our world.
