This thesis presents a design project that explores the role of visual perception in fostering empathy and addressing affective polarization. The research builds on insights from EyeSeeDifferent, a lighting installation developed for Highlight Delft, which demonstrated how lighting conditions influence perception. Expanding on this concept, the graduation project investigates how altering perception can enhance empathy within polarized societal contexts.
Affective polarization is increasingly prevalent, catalyzed by media coverage societal divisions. This project applies a polarization framework that identifies four distinct roles, with a particular focus on the Silent Middle and the Pushers. The Pushers contribute to polarization by reinforcing division, while the Silent Middle resists choosing a side despite experiencing pressure to do so.
Countering affective polarization requires enhancing empathy among the Pushers toward the Silent Middle.
Empathy is a dynamic and malleable concept, which can be enhanced through perspective-taking tasks. Research indicates that both visual and emotional perspective-taking activate the same brain regions, suggesting that engaging in a structured visual perspective-taking task may also stimulate empathy.
The primary design objective is to develop an installation that challenges polarization by emphasizing the value of the Silent Middle. The resulting installation, Hidden in Plain Sight (dutch: Ik zie wat jij niet ziet), was developed through two major design iterations and two user tests. The experience assigns participants to two roles: the Pushers, who have a limited visual perspective, and the Silent Middle, who integrate these fragmented perspectives to form a complete understanding. The Pushers shine red or blue filtered light through windows, creating opposing, partial views of a masked word due to a depth perception effect. The Silent Middle, located inside, can see both perspectives and decipher the full word: STILLE MIDDEN (English: Silent Middle). As a result, the Pushers leaves the interaction with a sense of dissatisfaction, while the Silent Middle experiences a sense of accomplishment and understanding. A debriefing session follows, where all visitors use a scale model and keyrings to further explore the installation from all perspectives. This step is designed to give meaning to the experienced interaction by connecting it to the polarization framework.
Prototyping and user testing provided critical insights that informed iterative refinements. The findings confirm that the intended emotional differences between roles are successfully conveyed. However, the connection between the interactive experience and the polarization framework requires further refinement.
This research contributes to the development of design strategies that can help reduce affective polarization by highlighting the value of the Silent Middle. By offering a tangible, interactive experience, the project demonstrates the potential of visual perception as a tool for promoting empathy in a divided society.