Experiencing Climate Change Virtually: The Effects of Virtual Reality on Climate Change Related Cognitions, Emotions, and Behavior

IF 3 3区社会学 Q1 COMMUNICATION

Environmental Communication-A Journal of Nature and Culture Pub Date : 2023-07-05 DOI:10.1080/17524032.2023.2229043

M. Meijers, Ragnheiður “Heather” Torfadóttir, Anke Wonneberger, E. Maslowska

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引用次数: 1

Abstract

ABSTRACT We conducted a pre-registered, between-subjects experiment to investigate whether experiencing climate change consequences virtually can influence cognitions, emotions, and pro-environmental intentions and behaviors. Participants (N = 277) experienced a wildfire through different media that varied in their degree of technological immersiveness (virtual reality vs. regular video vs. magazine articles only). Participants in the virtual reality condition reported higher spatial presence, stronger emotional responses, stronger bodily responses, and reported that the experience felt more life-like. Increased spatial presence was associated with increased risk perceptions and negative emotions. Risk perceptions and negative emotions were subsequently associated with reduced intentions to consume dairy and meat, but not associated with actual plant-based food choices (vegan vs. non-vegan chocolate bar). Actual donations to ENGOs were only influenced by risk perceptions, not emotions. The role of psychological distance was explored, which led to different conclusions for quantitative (no effect of virtual reality) and qualitative measures (virtual reality can reduce psychological distance).

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虚拟体验气候变化:虚拟现实对气候变化相关认知、情绪和行为的影响

我们进行了一项预注册的受试者间实验，以调查经历气候变化的后果是否会影响认知、情绪和亲环境的意图和行为。参与者(N = 277)通过不同的媒体体验了一场野火，这些媒体的技术沉浸程度各不相同(虚拟现实、普通视频、杂志文章)。虚拟现实条件下的参与者报告了更高的空间存在感，更强烈的情绪反应，更强烈的身体反应，并报告说这种体验更像生活。空间存在感的增加与风险感知和负面情绪的增加有关。风险认知和负面情绪随后与减少消费乳制品和肉类的意图有关，但与实际的植物性食物选择(素食主义者与非素食巧克力棒)无关。对非政府组织的实际捐款只受风险认知的影响，而不受情绪的影响。对心理距离的作用进行了探讨，得出了定量的(虚拟现实没有影响)和定性的(虚拟现实可以减少心理距离)不同的结论。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Environmental Communication-A Journal of Nature and Culture Multiple-

CiteScore

6.30

自引率

7.40%

发文量

期刊介绍： Environmental Communication is an international, peer-reviewed forum for multidisciplinary research and analysis assessing the many intersections among communication, media, society, and environmental issues. These include but are not limited to debates over climate change, natural resources, sustainability, conservation, wildlife, ecosystems, water, environmental health, food and agriculture, energy, and emerging technologies. Submissions should contribute to our understanding of scientific controversies, political developments, policy solutions, institutional change, cultural trends, media portrayals, public opinion and participation, and/or professional decisions. Articles often seek to bridge gaps between theory and practice, and are written in a style that is broadly accessible and engaging.