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Experimental Psychology (Russia)
2025. Vol. 18, no. 2, 115–130
doi:10.17759/exppsy.2025180207
ISSN: 2072-7593 / 2311-7036 (online)

Effects of interaction with cetaceans on human psycho-emotional state in the real world and in virtual reality

 
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Abstract

Context and relevance. This study examines the impact of animal therapy (namely, human interaction with marine animals such as dolphins and beluga whales) on the psycho-emotional state of a person in the real world and in virtual reality (VR). The perspectivity of VR methods application as a partial replacement of dolphin therapy is substantiated. The object of the study is the psychoemotional state of people interacting with cetaceans, and the subject is microchanges in the emotional state of people after interaction with cetaceans. The hypothesis of the study was the assumption that both real and virtual “communication” of a person with marine mammals of higher cognitive development have a positive impact on the psychoemotional sphere of a person. Interaction of a person with beluga whales in virtual reality is able to influence the emotional state of a person, namely, it leads to improvement of mood, well-being, increased activity, increased degree of expression of positive emotions and decreased degree of expression of anxious-depressive emotions. Methods and materials. The questionnaire of well-being — activity — mood and the Differential emotions scale by K. Izard were used as diagnostic methods. The results of the study confirm the positive effect of interaction with dolphins and beluga whales on human emotional state, as well as the effectiveness of using VR technologies in this area.

General Information

Keywords: virtual reality, emotional state, animal therapy, valence of emotional state, correction programs

Journal rubric: Psychology of Digital Reality

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/exppsy.2025180207

Received 06.09.2024

Accepted

Published

For citation: Pavlova, E.P., Doronina, T.V. (2025). Effects of interaction with cetaceans on human psycho-emotional state in the real world and in virtual reality. Experimental Psychology (Russia), 18(2), 115–130. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/exppsy.2025180207

© Pavlova E.P., Doronina T.V., 2025

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Elena P. Pavlova, 2d year master's Student, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2853-4251, e-mail: pavlova-ep@outlook.com

Tatyana V. Doronina, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Associate Professor, Department of General Psychology, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4680-4461, e-mail: doroninatv@mgppu.ru

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