Immersive Theatre: Learning and Performance Countering Diffusion of Responsibility

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37134/impac.v3.6.2025

Keywords:

Behavioral learning, Bystander intervention, Immersive theatre

Abstract

This study aims to explore the impact of transforming immersive experiences into a process that can facilitate social behavioural learning. Learning can occur by observing a behaviour and by observing the consequences of the behaviour. This qualitative research study investigates the impact of vicarious reinforcement in the form of immersive theatre on promoting active bystander intervention in incidents of violence against women. By investigating the relationship between performance, interactivity, and learning, the research examines the active involvement of audiences, emphasising the use of instinctive emotions to create introspective experiences within a dynamic immersive environment. This research investigates how immersive experiences can empower audiences to intervene and prevent violence against women, highlighting the role of collective responsibility in creating a safer and more proactive society.

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Author Biographies

  • Takreema Aurooj, COMSATS University Islamabad

    Takreema Aurooj is a theatre practitioner and dramatist. Her research focuses on unconventional performative art, impact of theatre on violence against women via practice-led methodologies, pedagogical implications of street theatre and immersive arts. She actively engages in activist theatre to explore how theatre can be tool for social change in third wold countries within contemporary performance ecologies. She has published in psychological journals.

  • Amna Aurooj, Charles Sturt University

    Amna Aurooj is a lecturer at Charles Sturt University. Their interest lies in exploring the psychology related to the topics that are explored under the domain of performance arts. Her work includes psychological exploration of various mental health issues targeting wide spread population.

  • Deerak Minhaj, University of Malaysia, Sarawak

    Deerak Minhaj is a researcher at the University of Malaysia, Sarawak. Their work examines the psychological effects of stage and theatre settings, with emphasis on the vibrancy of textiles in costumes and how visual and spatial elements in performance environments shape audience perception and emotional response within contemporary performance ecologies.

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Published

2025-12-31

Issue

Vol. 3 (2025): Proceedings of the International Music and Performing Arts Conference

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Takreema Aurooj, Deerak Minhaj, Amna Aurooj (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Authors retain copyright and grant the Proceedings of the International Music and Performing Arts Conference (IMPAC Proceedings) the right of first publication.

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How to Cite

Aurooj, T., Amna Aurooj, & Deerak Minhaj. (2025). Immersive Theatre: Learning and Performance Countering Diffusion of Responsibility. Proceedings of the International Music and Performing Arts Conference, 3, 39-45. https://doi.org/10.37134/impac.v3.6.2025