Compassion is key: How virtually embodying nature increases connectedness to nature

Pia Spangenberger; Jule Krüger; Sonja M. Geiger; Georg Felix Reuth; Lena Baumann; Steve Nebel

doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102521

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Compassion is key: How virtually embodying nature increases connectedness to nature

Journal article

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Compassion is key: How virtually embodying nature increases connectedness to nature

Pia Spangenberger, Jule Krüger, Sonja M. Geiger, Georg Felix Reuth, Lena Baumann and Steve Nebel

Journal of environmental psychology, Vol.102, 102521

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102521

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Abstract

compassion

Emotions

nature connectedness

virtual body ownership

virtual reality

Education for sustainable development and environmental psychology call for more systematic evidence regarding the role of emotions in sustainability-related attitudes, competencies, and behaviour. At the same time, immersive Virtual Reality (iVR) technology is discussed as a promising research approach for achieving this goal. However, research on the emotional processes explaining the high impact of iVR on nature connectedness is still in its infancy. Therefore, we conducted a study to further investigate the role of emotions for nature connectedness induced by virtually embodying a representative of nature (a tree) in iVR. We tested N = 85 students who were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: a threatening scenario, including a threat in the form of a forest fire at the end of the experience (n = 42), or a non-threatening scenario without the forest fire (n = 43). Emotions (anger, anxiety, sadness, joy and compassion) felt during the experience were assessed retrospectively with an extended version of the PANAS. To capture physical arousal during the iVR experience, participants wore an electrodermal activity (EDA) measurement device during the entire iVR exposure. The tests for mediation effects showed that compassion rather than basic emotions (anger, anxiety, sadness, or joy) explains the development of nature connectedness. Regarding the moderation effects, we found that the impact of virtual body ownership on anger, anxiety, and compassion differed based on the scenario type. Interaction effects showed that the threatening scenario induced stronger negative emotions (anger, anxiety, sadness) and compassion. These results were corroborated by the physiological reaction data of the participants. Based on our findings, we stress that exploring a virtual threat to nature can be perceived as a threat to oneself and can induce strong emotional and physiological reactions. Moreover, our results indicate that compassion is a distinct emotion with distinct effects to other emotions such as anger, anxiety, sadness, or joy. Subsequently, we build a case for focusing on compassion as a crucial factor in building nature connectedness.

Details

Title: Compassion is key: How virtually embodying nature increases connectedness to nature
Authors/Creators: Pia Spangenberger - Technische Universität Berlin
Jule Krüger - University of Potsdam, Department of Education
Sonja M. Geiger - Murdoch University, School of Psychology
Georg Felix Reuth - University of Potsdam, Department of Education
Lena Baumann - University of Potsdam, Department of Education
Steve Nebel - University of Potsdam, Department of Education
Publication Details: Journal of environmental psychology, Vol.102, 102521
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.; LONDON
Number of pages: 13
Grant note: Department of Education of Potsdam University
We thank Anne Sue ss enguth for providing support in the logistical organization of experiments. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support by the Department of Education of Potsdam University that allowed us to compensate the participants for their participation in our study.
Identifiers: 991005732480407891
Copyright: © 2025 The Authors.
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Psychology
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 6 Social Sciences; 6.73 Social Psychology; 6.73.1507 Pro-environmental Behavior
Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Studies; Psychology, Multidisciplinary
ESI research areas: Social Sciences, general