Virtual Reality Equals Empathy Per Stanford Research

PALO ALTO, CA -- People who saw others lose their jobs and homes using virtual reality devices were more moved emotionally than those who applied other media versions, the Stanford News Service announced last month.

This wave of compassion may urge the witness to sign a petition in support of affordable housing than other study participants.

"Experiences are what define us as humans, so it's not surprising that an intense experience in VR is more impactful than imagining something," said Jeremy Bailenson, a professor of communication and co-author of the paper published in PLOS ONE.

Scientists and enthusiasts have started to regard virtual reality as an "empathy machine" that may help people relate to each other better than novels, television shows or films can, the News Service explained.

About 10 million VR headsets have been sold in the United States over the last two years. Many people have used the technology, but few studies have researched its impact on the psychology and sociology of the devices.

"We tend to the tink of empathy as something you either have or don't have," said Jamil Zaki, an assistant professor of psychology and paper co-author. "But lots of studies have demonstrated that empathy isn't just a trait. It's something you can work on and turn up or down in different situations."

--Image courtesy of Stanford News Service