Creating Discomfort: Exploring the Use of Emotional Immersive Experiences to Address Social Issues in Museums

Abstract

This study investigated current design practices used to engage visitors in emotional immersive experiences to address social issues in museums, particularly focusing on why a program or exhibit developer might use this interpretive method, concerns and challenges that arise from these experiences, and outcomes that these experiences are designed to achieve. Data were collected through one-on-one interviews with museum professionals from three different case study sites that utilize emotional immersive programming or exhibits. Study results suggest that emotional immersive programs allow visitors to engage with the material more deeply, make it more memorable, and can foster better understanding and empathy for others. Additionally, this study suggests that these programs can be too intense for visitors and care should be taken when developing them. Several themes that emerged in this study could be useful for museums looking to utilize emotional immersive programs in their institutions.