Can Virtual Reality Make You More Empathetic?

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Story Description:

Charities are beginning to use virtual reality as a way to make donors feel more empathic to a cause and potentially increase the amount they might donate. Several charities have created virtual reality experiences designed to put ordinary people in the place of others who are suffering. The hope is that virtual reality will make these unfamiliar experiences more concrete, and therefore, make people feel more empathetic. Listen to learn more about the virtual reality experiences being developed and then debate: Can virtual reality make you more empathetic?

Listening Comprehension Questions:

• What are two examples of virtual reality experiences created by these charities?
• Why do you think the increase in bad news makes it hard for charities to get people’s support?
• How have people reacted after having the VR experience?
• What are the possible dangers to charities if VR experiences become too common?

Classroom Discussion Themes:

• What virtual reality experience would you design and how would it help motivate people to act on an issue?
• Debate: Do you think virtual reality experiences could make people more empathetic and charitable? Why or why not?