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Updated: May 14, 2026
07:09
Virtual Reality Experiments with Physiological Measures
Published on: August 29, 2018
Virtual superheroes: using superpowers in virtual reality to encourage prosocial behavior.
Robin S Rosenberg1, Shawnee L Baughman, Jeremy N Bailenson
1Robin@DrRobinRosenberg.com
Plos One
|February 6, 2013
Summary
Experiencing virtual reality flight as a superhero avatar significantly increased real-world helping behaviors. This virtual reality technology shows potential for promoting prosocial actions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Virtual Reality
Background:
- Prosocial video games enhance real-world prosocial behavior.
- Virtual reality (VR) enables immersive experiences with distinct avatars.
- This study investigates the impact of a superhero flight avatar in VR on helping behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if embodying a superhero avatar with flight capabilities in VR increases subsequent prosocial behavior.
- To explore the psychological mechanisms linking virtual experiences to real-world actions.
Main Methods:
- A 2x2 design was employed.
- Participants either controlled a flight avatar or were virtual helicopter passengers.
- Tasks included searching for a missing child or touring a virtual city.
Main Results:
- Participants who experienced virtual flight ("super-flight" conditions) exhibited significantly more helping behavior (picking up spilled pens) compared to those in the helicopter condition.
- The effect on helping behavior was observed regardless of the specific virtual task performed.
Conclusions:
- Embodying a flight-capable superhero avatar in VR promotes real-world helping behavior.
- This phenomenon may be due to the priming of superhero-related concepts.
- VR technology holds promise for enhancing prosocial behavior in the physical world.
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