Cognitive Load as a Hidden Cost of Empathy-Tradeoffs in Using VR for Inclusive Design

《Cognitive Load as a Hidden Cost of Empathy: Tradeoffs in Using VR for Inclusive Design》是发表于《International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction》的研究论文（2026 年 9 月 24 日在线发表，DOI: 10.1080/10447318.2026.2730903），作者来自香港科技大学（广州）与香港科技大学。论文探讨虚拟现实（VR）在包容性设计中弥合“共情鸿沟”的作用与代价：研究团队基于对低视力参与者的访谈与共创，开展 N=90 组间实验，对比被动视频、非情绪化交互 VR 与情绪化交互 VR 三种低视力出行挑战模拟。结果显示：两种 VR 条件均较视频显著提升共情，但情绪化 VR 并未带来额外的共情增益；而在设计创意环节，非情绪化 VR 产出的方案与低视力用户优先需求的对齐度显著高于另外两种条件。作者借助认知负荷理论（CLT）提出工作假设：情绪化线索可能在创意阶段引入额外认知/情绪需求，干扰共情理解向用户需求对齐设计的转化。论文据此给出校准 VR 情绪强度的实践指南，帮助设计工具在激发共情与保障设计思考之间取得平衡。

Virtual reality (VR) is used to bridge the "empathy gap" in inclusive design, but whether emotionally evocative simulations improve design outcomes remains unclear. We conducted a between-subjects experiment comparing passive video with non-emotional and emotional interactive VR simulations of low-vision mobility challenges, informed by interviews and co-design with low-vision participants. Emotional intensity was manipulated via non-player-character feedback while task structure and task-relevant information were held constant. We measured empathy change and assessed design ideas by alignment with user-prioritized needs. Both VR conditions increased empathy relative to video, but emotional VR produced no additional measurable gain, whereas non-emotional VR produced stronger user-need-aligned ideation than both other conditions. Drawing on cognitive load theory, we propose that emotionally charged cues may introduce extraneous demands during ideation, offering a working hypothesis for this divergence. Our work provides guidelines for calibrating VR emotional intensity to balance empathic engagement and design ideation.