Virtual Echoes: Enhancing Empathy Through the Experience of Others’ Physiology in Emotional Virtual Scenarios

Virtual reality (VR) is a powerful tool for enhancing empathy. VR’s immersive nature allows for a deep understanding of others’ perspectives and emotions. Exposure to virtual scenarios fosters a strong emotional connection and encourages reflection on the experiences of others. For example, studies have shown that VR experiences that simulate the perspective of marginalized groups or individuals suffering from specific hardships can significantly increase empathetic engagement and reduce prejudice.5 Techniques such as biofeedback offer a promising approach to further enhance empathy in such scenarios. Biofeedback is a technique that allows individuals to view their physiological data, such as heart rate (HR) or skin perspiration, in real time. This allows the individual to understand how their body is responding to certain stimuli. Similarly, they can view another person’s physiological data to understand how that person is feeling at a given moment. This scenario enhances understanding and empathy in interpersonal interactions.