Altered States of Consciousness: Evaluation of a voice‐hearing simulation during an immersive art exhibition
S. Riches, Rich Maskey, R. Waddingham, J. Benjamin, Patrick Dishman, Charlie Tebrook, Eve Mundy, Phoebe Roberts, H. Fisher
Early Intervention in Psychiatry October 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1111/eip.12497 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA new immersive art exhibition, Altered States of Consciousness, simulated the experience of hearing voices for members of the public in an art gallery and on the London Underground. Among 150 visitors who completed surveys before and after the exhibition, understanding of what it feels like to hear voices, compassion towards voice hearers, and comfort in talking about these experiences all increased significantly. Participants reported enjoying the simulation, learning from it, and not finding it stressful. The exhibition shows potential for improving public engagement and reducing stigma around voice-hearing and unusual sensory experiences.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 150 |
| Population | Visitors to an art gallery and the London Underground |
| Keywords | Medicine Psychology Art |
| Key finding | After experiencing the voice-hearing simulation exhibition, visitors showed significant increases in understanding, compassion, and comfort discussing voice-hearing. |
Abstract
AIM: To improve public understanding of the subjective experience of auditory hallucinations and increase empathy towards individuals who hear voices and have other unusual sensory experiences. METHODS: This pilot study developed a new immersive art exhibition, Altered States of Consciousness, which gave members of the public an individualized voice-hearing simulation experience in 2 real-world settings-an art gallery and the London Underground. A total of 150 visitors completed visual analogue scales immediately before and after their experience of the exhibition. RESULTS: Post-exhibition, there were significant increases in understanding what it feels like to hear voices, compassion towards voice hearers, and comfort in talking about these experiences. Participants enjoyed the simulation, felt they learned from their involvement, and did not find it stressful. CONCLUSIONS: The exhibition and voice-hearing simulation has further potential for public engagement and stigma reduction.