Designing Embodied Virtual Reality for Feline Perspective-Taking: Exploring Perceptual and Empathy-Related Outcomes

Sammanfattning

This article explores how embodied Virtual Reality (VR) experiences can be designed to support human perspective-taking of non-human animal perception, using cats as a case study. Through a Research through Design approach, a VR prototype was developed to simulate a feline-inspired perspective by altering spatial scale, viewpoint, and sensory characteristics. A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted, combining qualitative interviews with quantitative Likert-scale questionnaires to examine how participants interpret and respond to the experience. The findings indicate that the VR experience primarily supports cognitive and perceptual understanding, particularly regarding spatial awareness and environmental interaction. Participants reported a stronger ability to interpret feline behavior through embodied experience. However, the results show limited impact on emotional empathy, suggesting that perceptual embodiment alone may not be sufficient to generate affective responses. The study contributes to HCI and VR research by demonstrating how designed perceptual transformations can support non-human perspective-taking, while highlighting the distinction between understanding and emotional engagement in immersive experiences.