Virtual Reality and Implicit Bias: Examining Racial Prejudice Through the Representation of Black and White Refugees

Global migration patterns have intensified social challenges, particularly in Western countries, where tensions surrounding resource competition and cultural differences often influence ethnic and racial prejudice. This study investigates the potential of virtual reality (VR) to address implicit racial biases by immersing participants in the perspective of asylum seekers from two distinct ethnic groups: Burkinabé (Black) and Ukrainian (White). A sample of 164 Italian participants was randomly assigned to embody one of these avatars and engaged in a simulated immigration interview. Implicit racial biases were assessed before and after the VR intervention using the Implicit Association Test (IAT). The findings revealed contrasting outcomes: participants embodying the Burkinabé avatar showed no significant changes in implicit racial biases, whereas those embodying the Ukrainian avatar exhibited an increase in such biases. These results suggest that VR interventions may inadvertently amplify biases, particularly in contexts where group dynamics emphasize competition or perceived resource scarcity. Additionally, the study highlights the deeply entrenched nature of implicit biases, which often resist modification through short-term interventions.