Unraveling the persuasive power of 360º-video Virtual Reality narratives

Información del proyecto

PersVR

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 838427

DOI

10.3030/838427

Proyecto cerrado

Fecha de la firma de la CE 11 Abril 2019

Fecha de inicio 1 Septiembre 2019

Fecha de finalización 16 Octubre 2021

Financiado con arreglo a

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Coste total

€ 175 572,48

Aportación de la UE

€ 175 572,48

Coordinado por

STICHTING VU
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PersVR (Unraveling the persuasive power of 360º-video Virtual Reality narratives)

Período documentado: 2019-09-01 hasta 2021-08-31

Resumen del contexto y de los objetivos generales del proyecto

For a large part of the population, many of the world’s most pressing problems (e.g. humanitarian crisis, natural disasters) may stay distant (i.e. the problem materializes elsewhere, but not here) and abstract (i.e. most people are not directly confronted to their consequences). The perceived psychological distance to the problems can make people remain unconcerned about their serious implications and the urgency to take action to face them. This stresses the need for effective communication tools that portray these problems in a more directly graspable, experiential way. One technological solution in this sense could be Virtual Reality (VR). The vision, often addressed as “immersive journalism”, is that, by putting viewers “in the middle of the story", VR might help turn abstract and distant problems (e.g. suffering of refugees or the melting of the Arctic) into more palpable problems, and, consequently, instigate more pro-social and pro-environmental beliefs, attitudes and behaviours. However, the theoretical understanding and empirical evidence about these questions are very limited. PersVR aims to change this situation, by developing a theoretical model of the persuasive effects of non-fiction VR/360-video stories and empirically testing it with real 360º-video VR contents, on two specific topics: stories about refugees, and stories about climate change. Besides, the project aims at developing methodological knowledge on the measurement of the persuasive outcomes of immersive narratives.

Trabajo realizado desde el comienzo del proyecto hasta el final del período abarcado por el informe y los principales resultados hasta la fecha

The work conducted has involved an extensive review of the existing literature in the project's topics, the integration of the existing evidence, and the development of the theoretical model on the persuasive effects of VR storytelling, as well as the implementation of the experimental studies for empirically testing the model. Due to covid-related restrictions for laboratory research, the empirical testing of the model has suffered a delay, and it will be completed during the following months. The collected data will also allow for analysing the advantages and disadvantages of the various combinations of methods applied in laboratory studies.

Avances que van más allá del estado de la técnica e impacto potencial esperado (incluida la repercusión socioeconómica y las implicaciones sociales más amplias del proyecto hasta la fecha)

The theoretical model developed in the project represents an integration of the various, disconnected theoretical approaches that can explain different persuasive effects of immersive narratives. It advances our understanding of the diverse psychological mechanisms that may interact during exposure to non-fiction VR narratives. Once empirically validated, the model may guide future uses of VR storytelling in domains like journalism, documentary, or education. This way, the work conducted may contribute to more effective use of VR technology in these domains, enhancing its potential as a tool to foster pro-social attitudes and behaviors in domains such as humanitarian crises or climate change communication.

Image of the headsets and physiological equipment used in the research