Immersive Incarceration: Perspective-Taking Cues in 360-Degrees Videos to Enhance Empathy for Individuals Currently Incarcerated and Promote Prison Reform
Open Access
- Author:
- Bennett, Spencer
- Graduate Program:
- Mass Communications
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- February 23, 2024
- Committee Members:
- Anthony Olorunnisola, Program Head/Chair
Michael Schmierbach, Chair & Dissertation Advisor
Mary Oliver, Major Field Member
Jeffrey Bardzell, Outside Unit & Field Member
Jessica Myrick, Major Field Member - Keywords:
- virtual reality
360-degree videos
perspective taking
empathy
attitudes towards prisoners
prison reform - Abstract:
- This dissertation explores the impact of 360-degree video on individuals’ empathy for individuals currently incarcerated, attitudes toward such individuals, and support for prison reform. Additionally, this research investigated the impact of perspective-taking cues in 360-degree videos on empathy for individuals currently incarcerated, attitudes toward such individuals, and persuasion for prison reform. Results indicate that while 360-degree videos enhance empathy for individuals currently incarcerated, the impact on attitudes toward such individuals and support for prison reform is subtle and context-based. Controlling for pre-existing attitudes toward individuals currently incarcerated revealed a significance of individual differences in baseline perceptions toward individuals currently incarcerated. Additionally, open-ended responses highlight the humanization of individuals currently incarcerated and the crucial role of family-related stories in enhancing empathy for individuals currently incarcerated. Opposed to the hypotheses, perspective-taking cues in the 360-degree videos about incarceration did not significantly impact attitudes toward individuals currently incarcerated, empathy for such individuals, or person reform attitudes. This lack of significant findings prompts a closer examination of the intricate interplay between perspective-taking cues, individual differences, and attitudes. Such findings highlight the complexity of the relationship between presentation modes, perspective-taking cues, and various attitudes toward individuals currently, challenging initial assumptions about 360-degree videos about individuals in vulnerable populations and their history of significant influence. This study contributes to the discourse on the success of immersive media in influencing emotions and stereotypes, highlighting the need for an understanding of the context and individual perceptions persuading attitudes toward individuals currently incarcerated and prison reform.