The role of virtual reality in enhancing behavioral empathy: exploring cognitive absorption, engagement, and emotional moderation using multivariate methods
Chi-Horng Liao
Abstract
Abstract Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly being used to promote altruistic behavior, yet its mechanisms for enhancing altruistic behavior remain underexplored. This study investigates how cognitive absorption in VR enhances behavioral empathy, drawing on cognitive absorption theory and the empathy-altruism model. Three studies were conducted using modified Delphi (m-Delphi), Fuzzy Decision Making and Trial Evaluation Laboratory (F-DEMATEL), structural equation modelling (SEM), and artificial neural networks (ANN), and data was collected from Taiwanese participants. The findings reveal that cognitive absorption increases cognitive and emotional engagement, which enhance cognitive and emotional empathy, leading to greater behavioral empathy. Serial mediation effects were confirmed, and guilt moderated the emotional empathy-behavioral empathy link. ANN analysis identified emotional empathy and focused attention as top predictors. The findings of this research provide theoretical and practical insights for designing VR-based tools to foster sustained prosocial behavior.