Confronting whiteness through virtual humans: a review of 20 years of research in prejudice and racial bias using virtual environments

Abstract Virtual environments (VEs) provide novel ways for users to experience computer generated people and places, which can be used by researchers to examine and reduce racial bias. However, unless researchers consider the systemtic structures of racial inequities when designing their simulations, they may unintentionally create experiences that could prime or entrench racist beliefs or attitudes. A critical Whiteness framework guides this systematic review of 20 years of prejudice and bias reduction research in VEs. Of the 68 articles, findings indicated that virtual experiences are a promising tool in anti-bias interventions. Future research must expand to more longitudinal, behaviorally focused studies while prioritizing predictive theoretical models and meaningfully reflecting on inclusive practices within the broader bias reduction space. We discuss best practices for future research in anti-bias and anti-prejudice in VEs. Lay Summary Virtual environments (VEs) provide new and powerful ways users can experience people and places where researchers can examine and reduce racial bias. However, these experiences may accidentally provoke or strengthen racist beliefs when creating virtual worlds without considering existing racial inequities in academia. We apply a critical race framework to assess patterns within 20 years of research using VEs for prejudice and bias reduction. Of the 68 articles, findings showed that VEs are a promising tool for racial bias interventions. Future research should examine behavior changes over time while integrating theoretical models and reflecting on inclusive techniques within the broader bias reduction space. We discuss best practices for future anti-bias and anti-prejudice research in VEs.