How Multi-Sensory Animal Embodiment in Virtual Reality Influences Environmental Threat Processing and Conservation Behaviors

Abstract

Efforts to mitigate environmental threats are often inversely related to the magnitude of casualty, human or otherwise1–3. This “compassion fade” can be explained, in part, by differential processing of large- versus small-scale threats: it is difficult to form empathic connections with unfamiliar masses versus singular victims4. Despite robust findings, little is known about how non-human casualty is processed, and what strategies override this bias. Over four experiments, we show how embodying threatened megafauna – Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta Caretta) – in virtual reality can offset and reverse compassion fade. After observing compassion fade during exposure to mass non-human casualty in virtual reality (Study 1; N=60), we then tested a custom multi-sensory virtual reality simulation facilitating embodiment of a threatened Loggerhead (Study 2; N=98). Afterwards, a field experiment (Study 3; N=90) testing the simulation with varied number of victims showed embodiment offset compassion fade. Lastly, a fourth study (N=25) found that charitable giving among users embodying threatened wildlife was highest when exposed to one versus many victims, though this effect was reversed if victims were of a different species (Dolphins). The findings demonstrate how animal embodiment in virtual reality alters processing of environmental threats and non-human casualty, thereby influencing biodiversity conservation outcomes.