Interaction with the future self in virtual reality reduces self-defeating behavior in a sample of convicted offenders

Abstract

In this study, we test an intervention in which convicted offenders interacted with an age-progressed avatar representing their future selves in virtual reality. During the interaction, they reflected on their current lifestyle, alternating between the perspective of their present self and that of their future self. We hypothesized that this embodied experience would increase their ability to imagine themselves in the future and reduce their engagement in self-defeating behavior, as measured with a self-report survey. In line with expectations, results indicated that the interaction increased vividness of the future self compared to baseline and reduced self-defeating behavior, including alcohol use and overspending, one week later. In addition, increases in vividness were associated with a reduction in self-defeating behavior over and above other concepts relating to the future self, including connectedness, similarity, and valence. The results are based on a small sample and should therefore be considered as indicative of the possibilities of our virtual reality paradigm as an intervention tool to reduce self-defeating behavior.

Stimulating a future-oriented mindset and goal attainment through a smartphone-based intervention: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…Although the current study targets university students, the intervention has the potential to be relevant for other populations as well. Given that the extent to which people have a clear and vivid image of their future is related to a wide array of domains such as health, delinquency, and saving ( Hershfield, 2011 ; Rutchick, 2018; Van Gelder et al, 2015 , Van Gelder et al, 2022 ), an intervention that can strengthen people's future self-identification has the potential to indirectly stimulate positive outcomes within these domains. This potentially broad impact underscores the relevance of our smartphone-based intervention and the importance of its optimization.…”

“…Short-sighted behaviors, such as substance use, overspending, and unhealthy diets, are known to be generally self-defeating and to generate adverse consequences across a variety of domains (e.g., health, well-being, finance; Hershfield et al, 2011 ; Rutchick et al, 2018 ). Such behaviors tend to offer immediate gains, benefitting the ‘present self’, while instilling costs in the longer run, and hence harming the ‘future self’ ( Van Gelder et al, 2013 , Van Gelder et al, 2022 ). Conversely, being oriented towards the future stimulates behaviors beneficial to one's psychosocial development and well-being (e.g., Steinberg et al, 2009 ).…”

“…Previous research has shown that strengthening identification with the future self can stimulate a future-oriented mindset and affect behavior in a variety of domains, including health ( Rutchick et al, 2018 ), delinquency ( Van Gelder et al, 2015 , Van Gelder et al, 2022 ), and saving ( Hershfield et al, 2011 ). Most research investigating future self-identification has focused on the effects of exposure (imaginal or through images) to the future self on subsequent behaviors and thinking (e.g., Hershfield et al, 2011 ; Rutchick et al, 2018 ).…”

How prepared are people for their future? Findings from the Preparedness for the Future survey

“…Finally, virtual reality, an immersive experience in a computer-generated environment, has been shown to enhance empathy for others, foster personal change, and be useful in a variety of clinical settings (Herrera et al, 2018; Riva et al, 2016; Roswell et al, 2020; van Gelder et al, 2022). Virtual reality technologies are being pursued in a variety of health applications as they offer an opportunity for an individual to have an experience with self (first-person perspective) in a simulated environment that can prompt self-reflection, learning and personal change.…”

“…Thus, future-oriented thinking and interventions that enable greater connection with future self, likely lead to changes to inner attitudes and beliefs that manifest as healthy lifestyle choices that then translate into greater health and wellness. For example, a recent study of young convicted offenders shows that a virtual reality intervention in which they were interviewed by a virtual representation of their future self led to increased vividness of the future self compared to baseline and reduced poor lifestyle behaviours, including alcohol use and overspending, 1 week later (Van Gelder et al, 2022).…”