Work

Shared Awe, Greater Awe in Virtual Reality (VR) Together: How Multi-Users and Viewing Direction Influence Prosocial and Self-Improvement Through Social Presence and Awe

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Awe, a self-transcendent emotion, can foster social connectedness, prosociality, and self-improvement. Although virtual reality (VR) is an effective medium for inducing awe, little research has examined how users’ viewing direction and social context shape awe experiences. Drawing on grounded cognition theory and theories of collective assemblies and collective effervescence, this study employed a 2 (viewing direction: looking up vs. looking down) × 2 (social context: solo vs. multiplayer) experimental design. Results showed that experiencing awe-inducing scenery with others increased self-improvement motivation through a serial mediation pathway of social presence and perceived vastness. Looking upward also enhanced self-improvement motivation compared to looking downward. However, viewing direction did not affect prosocial intentions, nor did it moderate the indirect effects of social context on outcomes. Social presence mediated the effects of social context on both a) prosocial intentions and b) self-improvement motivation. These findings identify social context and viewing direction as important factors in understanding VR-induced awe.

Source: International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction

DOI: 10.1080/10447318.2026.2684290

Authors: Jih-Hsuan Tammy Lin, Ji-Wei Yang, Yu-Hao Lee

Institutions: National Chengchi University, University of Florida

Language: English

Topic: Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts

Subfield: Human-Computer Interaction

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Science and Technology Council, National Science and Technology Council

Awards: Pilot Project of Human-Centered Innovative Content Driving Chip Industry in Taiwan, G4147591257, G507540503, Humanities Innovative Contents-Driven Taiwan Ic Industry：Integration of Vi Rtuality and Reality in a Human-Ai Ecosystem( II ), Humanities Innovative Contents-Driven Taiwan Ic Industry：Integration of Vi Rtuality and Reality in a Human-Ai Ecosystem( I )