What you learn in virtual reality… You keep in real life!

In fact, what the "self" learns in virtual reality is often transferred into real-life situations. This concept is known in scientific literature as Virtual Reality Self-Modeling (VRSM). 

The principle? A person observes themselves adopting a positive behavior or learning a skill within a virtual environment. By repeating these actions in an immersive, engaging setting, the behavior becomes more familiar, more natural—and most importantly, it carries over into real life. 

“The individual learns a behavior or skill in virtual reality, and by repeatedly seeing themselves do it, they begin to generalize that behavior or skill in real life,” explains our psychologist, Stéphanie Delroisse. 

One of the best-known studies on the topic is by Fox & Bailenson (2009). They demonstrated that participants who observed their avatar exercising in a virtual environment reported doing more physical activity within the next 24 hours. 

In other words, simply seeing their virtual self-take action had a motivational impact on real-life behavior. Other studies went even further—some showed lasting effects on self-confidence, public speaking, and handling anxiety-provoking situations. 

There are many practical applications, especially in psychotherapy and professional contexts. 

In the case of anxiety disorders, VR allows gradual exposure to stress-inducing situations—like meetings, public speaking, or social interactions—in a risk-free, judgment-free, and controlled environment. 

“When you see your avatar succeed in overcoming an anxiety-provoking situation, your brain starts to believe it too. You build confidence,” says our psychologist. 

For returning to work after burnout or a long-term absence, this can be a powerful tool. Seeing yourself successfully re-engaging with tasks, interacting with coworkers, or managing a schedule helps rebuild routines and confidence at your own pace. 

The transfer of learning from VR to real life depends on several key factors: 

1. Identification with the avatar: The more the avatar resembles the person (physically or behaviorally), the more effective the transfer. 

2. Repetition: As with any learning process, regular practice enhances the effect. 

3. Immediate feedback: Seeing the consequences of one's actions—even in a virtual world—boosts retention. 

4. Emotional consistency: The environment should evoke emotions similar to those experienced in real-life scenarios. 

VR isn’t a magic wand—but it is a powerful complement to traditional methods. It anchors learning through lived experience rather than reading or imagining. Most importantly, it fosters a sense of self-efficacy: 

“If I can do it in VR, then maybe I can do it in real life too.” 

This marks a true revolution in personal development—whether for those in career transition, rebuilding confidence, or simply seeking better self-awareness. 

For instance, someone returning to work after burnout or cancer may experience anxiety. VR can help them overcome these challenges and boost their chances of a successful reintegration. 

Melimpus creates virtual reality tools that help individuals prepare to return to work. By immersing themselves in a professional virtual environment and learning to interact with avatars, they rebuild confidence and enhance the quality of their work reintegration. This approach has been validated by multiple clinical studies. 

Feel free to share your experience or ask questions in the comments—our psychologist will be happy to respond.