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Updated: Jan 14, 2026
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Virtual Reality Experiments with Physiological Measures
Published on: August 29, 2018
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Virtual reality reduces climate indifference by making distant locations feel psychologically close
Monique Santoso1, Portia Wang2, Eugy Han3
1Department of Communication, Stanford University, 450 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA, USA, 94305. mtsantoso@stanford.edu.
Scientific Reports
|October 23, 2025
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) makes distant climate change locations feel closer, increasing emotional connection and risk perception. This immersive technology enhances climate storytelling and engagement, especially for those concerned about global warming.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Climate Change Communication
Background:
- Psychological distance hinders climate change engagement.
- Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive experiences.
- Understanding VR's impact on climate change perception is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate VR's effect on psychological distance to climate change locations.
- To assess VR's influence on climate emotions and risk perceptions.
- To explore VR's role in enhancing climate storytelling.
Main Methods:
- 163 students experienced climate change news stories via immersive VR or static images.
- Pre- and post-test surveys measured psychological distance, emotions, and risk perception.
- Storytelling investment, awe, and spatial presence were also assessed.
Main Results:
- VR significantly reduced psychological distance, particularly for distant locations.
- VR heightened climate frustration, reduced indifference, and increased risk perception.
- VR enhanced storytelling investment, awe, and spatial presence, with effects moderated by political ideology.
Conclusions:
- VR effectively reduces psychological distance, fostering emotional connection to climate change.
- Immersive VR can alter risk perceptions and promote climate storytelling.
- VR's potential for climate change communication is significant, influenced by individual factors.
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