Reimagining Prejudice Reduction With Virtual Reality

Imagine what it would be like to step into someone else’s shoes—not as a metaphor, but for real. To see the world through their eyes, feel their emotions, and navigate their challenges. Virtual reality (VR) is making this possible, offering a new way to bridge divides, foster empathy, and challenge biases. Over the past few years, VR has gained attention as a tool for understanding and reducing prejudice, as highlighted in a systematic review exploring its use in studying prejudice and combating bias. It’s a field full of potential, but it’s also complex.

A Kaleidoscope of Stigmatized Groups

One of the most fascinating things about VR research is how it can connect us with such a wide variety of marginalized groups. These include racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people stigmatized for conditions like obesity or addiction. And it doesn’t stop there—research is also digging into how these stigmas overlap. For example, how does belonging both to an ethnic minority and a gender minority shape someone’s experience? This kind of intersectionality highlights that prejudice isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither are the solutions.

By addressing such a diverse range of groups, VR is showing us something profound: the universality of bias and the pressing need for creative ways to tackle it.

Why Is Interest Growing So Quickly?

In the last decade, VR’s role in prejudice research has exploded. Half of the studies covered in the systematic review were published after 2020. Why now? Part of the answer lies in the rapid advancements in VR technology, which has become more immersive, affordable, and user-friendly.

But it’s not just about the tech. Over the same period, global movements like Black Lives Matter and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights have brought conversations about inequality and systemic prejudice to the forefront. People are demanding change, and scholars are looking for fresh tools to equip research.

VR fits the bill perfectly. It provides a safe, controlled space to simulate difficult scenarios, challenge biases, and test new ideas. For educators and researchers, it’s a game changer.

Stepping Into Their Shoes: The Power—and Challenge—of Embodiment

One of VR’s most remarkable features is how it lets users embody someone else—literally experiencing life from another person’s perspective. Imagine being able to navigate the world as a wheelchair user or as a member of a different ethnic group. These experiences can be eye-opening, helping people understand challenges they might otherwise overlook.

But here’s the thing: embodiment isn’t a cure-all. Studies have shown that if these virtual experiences are poorly designed or too emotionally intense, they can sometimes backfire. For example, facing virtual discrimination as an avatar might reinforce stereotypes instead of reducing them. This doesn’t mean we should shy away from these experiences—it means they need to be carefully crafted. The goal is to create scenarios that challenge preconceptions without causing harm.

When Virtual Becomes Personal

Beyond embodying others, VR offers another powerful avenue: interactions with avatars representing stigmatized minorities. These virtual encounters can mimic the benefits of face-to-face interactions, like reducing anxiety and building familiarity.

In fact, VR has some advantages over real-world interactions. It creates an environment where status can be equalized, giving participants a chance to feel safe from judgment. These are the exact conditions researchers know are most effective for breaking down barriers.

However, it’s important to note that embodying avatars representing stigmatized minorities and interacting with one aren’t the same thing. They trigger different responses and address prejudice in unique ways. Embodiment is great for fostering empathy, while interacting with outgroup avatars helps familiarizing with the “other.” Combining these approaches might be the key to meaningful experiences.

What’s Next?

As VR technology advances, its potential to combat prejudice grows too. But there’s still a lot of work to do. Researchers need to understand how long these attitude changes last, refine the design of VR experiences to avoid unintended outcomes, and expand this research to include underrepresented groups.

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Another exciting possibility is combining VR with real-world interventions. Imagine learning something powerful in a virtual environment and then applying it in your daily life. That’s where VR’s true impact lies—not just in the headset, but in the world outside it.