Inspired by awe: Using VR technology to enhance visitors’ cultural inheritance intention in history museums

Zhang, Xiaziyu

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132970 Copy

Description

Title

Inspired by awe: Using VR technology to enhance visitors’ cultural inheritance intention in history museums

Author(s)

Zhang, Xiaziyu

Issue Date

2026-03-12

Keyword(s)

• Virtual reality
• History museum
• Visitors’ cultural inheritance intention
• Awe
• Inspiration
• Technology anxiety

Abstract

Introduction. Museums serving dual roles in culture and tourism, are increasingly adopting digital technologies to enhance visitor experiences. Although virtual reality (VR) has transformative potential, little is known about its role and underlying mechanisms in fostering visitors' cultural inheritance intention in history museums. Method. We employed a between-subjects scenario-based experiment randomly assigned 260 participants to view a video showing a history museum visit integrating VR technology or a traditional history museum visit. Data on cultural inheritance intention, awe, inspiration, and technology anxiety were measured using appropriate scales. Analysis. Quantitative data from 247 participants were analyzed using the statistical package SPSS 26. Results. First, the results indicated that VR integration significantly increased visitors’ cultural inheritance intention. Second, this effect is serially mediated by perceived awe and inspiration. Third, the positive pathway is negatively moderated by visitor’s technology anxiety. Conclusions. This research reveals the mechanism through which VR integration impacts visitors’ cultural inheritance intention, deepening the understanding of the psychological processes that facilitate cultural preservation and public education in museum tourism. By demonstrating that the positive effects of VR technology are conditional on visitors’ technology anxiety, this study provides insights for the strategic deployment of VR within the context of history museums.

Publisher

iSchools

Series/Report Name or Number

iConference 2026 Proceedings

Type of Resource

Other

Genre of Resource

Conference Poster

Language

eng

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132970

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2026 is held by Xiaziyu Zhang. Copyright permissions, when appropriate, must be obtained directly from the authors.

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