Using a Virtual Workplace Environment to Reduce Implicit Gender Bias

Implicit gender bias has costly and complex consequences for women in the workplace, with many reporting microaggressions which result them being overlooked or disrespected. We present an online desktop virtual environment that follows story of a male female self-avatar from first-person perspective, who either experiences positive negative workplace scenario. The scenario included examples taxonomy microaggressions. Participants experienced had significantly decreased levels implicit compared to those self-avatar. There was evidence empathy perspective taking condition Experiences showed no significant decreases regardless gender. discuss implications these findings make recommendations technologies scenarios respect reduction biases.