Embodied Empathy; Virtual Reality and Experiencing Geriatrics

"The video will be formatted for viewing within a standard virtual reality headset. Once the video begins, subjects will follow the movements of the new body they are inhabiting in synchronicity to the video. Movement and haptic input include~1. Mimicking the hand gestures at the beginning in order to establish the body transfer illusion.~2. Shaking someone's hand~3. Someone holding the hand and elbow to assist them in standing, taking a few steps and returning to a seated position.~4. Shaking hands~5. Having their blood pressure taken~6. Having their pulse taken~7. Fill a pill organizer~8. Color a picture~All of the above interactions will be facilitated by the two Co-PI's (Blatter, Ware). Blatter and Ware have been creating and performing similar Virtual Reality Embodiments with haptics for the past year, and to date, have performed hundreds of them for demos, colleagues, students and the public."

The video will be formatted for a standard flat screen television. Participants will watch the video alone in a standard School of the Arts classroom.