Using virtual reality to induce gratitude through virtual social interaction

The present research examined to what extent virtual reality was an effective tool to induce a complex, positive, other-oriented emotion: gratitude. We hypothesized that receiving the help of a virtual benefactor should generate a feeling of gratitude, but also social benefits. In two studies, we showed that this virtual social interaction induced a feeling of gratitude in contrast to a control condition. Furthermore, in both studies, being helped by a virtual confederate led participants to be more inclined to offer social support to their benefactor, in contrast to the control condition. The beneficial effect of the gratitude induction on social support intentions was mediated by the virtual confederate's perceived warmth (Studies 1 & 2) and by enhanced perceived interpersonal closeness (Study 2). Finally, the expected benefits of gratitude were observed for both ingroup and outgroup benefactors. Implications of these findings for emotion induction, well-being, and intergroup contacts are discussed. •Virtual Reality is an effective tool to induce a positive moral emotion: gratitude.•Being helped by a virtual confederate led individuals to perceive him/her positively.•Being helped by a virtual benefactor generate interpersonal benefits: reciprocity.