The relationship between virtual experiences and social behaviour has long held the fascination of researchers of social science, with studies exploring extensively its negative (e.g. aggression) and positive (e.g. learning) effects. With the development of the Oculus Rift and mobile technologies such as the Samsung Gear VR, the infrastructure for virtual experiences is becoming increasingly accessible in our daily social life and continues to pose important questions about how technology will mediate, and even change, our interactions in the future.
Denise Baron hosts a discussion with Dr Simon Evans, Dr Morgan Tear and PhD candidate Brett Heasman, to explore the questions that virtual reality presents about our future understanding of psychology. Key topics include how virtual experiences affect and inform understanding of the Self, prosocial behaviour, and social skills in people with autism.