A virtually-induced overview effect? How seeing the world from above through a simulated space tour is related to awe, global identity and pro-environmental behaviour

Abstract

Global environmental crises require concerted action around the globe. Previous research has suggested that salient global identity (i.e. identification with and concern for people all over the world) might motivate such action, as it is positively related to pro-environmental behaviour. However, little is known about how to strengthen global identity. Inferred from astronauts' experiences when seeing our planet from space (i.e. the overview effect), we hypothesised that a virtual reality (VR) space tour elicits awe (i.e. an experience of extraordinary vastness associated with feeling moved, amazed and overwhelmed), makes global identity more salient and motivates pro-environmental behaviour. We compared the effect of the VR simulation to that of music, a stimulus unrelated to nature. In a preregistered laboratory experiment, participants of a convenience sample in Germany (N = 128) were randomly assigned to four groups, using a 2 (VR: yes vs. no) × 2 (music: yes vs. no) design, and answered a self-report questionnaire. We found that both the VR space tour and music elicited awe, but that the effects of VR were stronger. We found neither significant main nor interaction effects of VR and music on global identity. However, both the VR simulation and music indirectly predicted stronger global self-investment (i.e. one dimension of global identity reflecting solidarity and concern for people world-wide) through a stronger awe experience. Neither the VR simulation nor music impacted people's pro-environmental behaviour in terms of their willingness to sign a petition asking the government to prioritise the Paris climate agreement. However, they both indirectly predicted willingness to sign the petition through a stronger awe experience. We discuss the role of awe for global identity and pro-environmental behaviour, and elaborate on the idea that a greater portion of global identity may be a stable trait rather than a variable state. We also discuss how useful VR simulations are for encouraging pro-environmental behaviour.