Understanding the Potential of Virtual Reality in Transformative Experiences: the Role of Epistemic Expansion and Positive Emotions

Le résumé fourni par la source

Abstract Transformative experiences (TEs) are brief and profound experiences that can lead to significant changes in self-perception and emotional understanding. Recent literature suggests that immersive virtual reality (VR), through its properties such as sensory immersion and sense of presence, can be a powerful tool to elicit TEs. This experimental study aimed to investigate the transformative potential of a VR-TE compared to a traditional media-based TE (audio-TE) on epistemic expansion (broadening one’s understanding) and positive emotions (PEs). The role of individual differences, such as mindful attention, engagement with beauty, and gender, was also explored. Seventy-eight young adults from Italy and Spain, aged 18–30, were randomly assigned to either a VR or audio-TE condition. The VR-TE group experienced a 10-minute virtual TE (a metaphorical journey in a natural setting), whereas the audio-TE group heard the same narrative without visuals. Both groups completed questionnaires before (t0) and after the intervention (t1). Student’s t-test showed that the VR-TE group reported significantly higher epistemic expansion (p = .020) and greater increases in PEs at t1, especially in self-transcendent PEs such as awe (p < .001) and hope (p < .001) compared to the audio-TE group. These effects emerged regardless of participants’ gender, baseline mindful attention, or engagement with beauty (epistemic expansion: ANCOVA, F(1,73) = 7.99, p < .006, partial η² = 0.09; PEs: MANCOVA, F(8,65) = 4.18, p < .001, partial η² = 0.34), suggesting that VR’s capacity to induce transformative states may transcend these individual differences. This study contributes to the growing body of research on technology-mediated transformation and offers insights for designing personalized VR interventions aimed at enhancing personal growth, reflection, and psychological well-being. Future research should investigate the long-term effects of VR-based transformative experiences and explore their applicability across diverse and clinical populations.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.