From November 30 to December 4, 2024, at the 36th Australian Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (OzCHI 2024) held in Brisbane, Australia, Adélaïde Genay (University of Melbourne) presented our research. This project was conducted as a collaborative effort between the University of Melbourne, INRIA in France, and our laboratory.
- Adélaïde Genay, Erika Kimura, Martin Hachet, Anatole Lécuyer, Yutaro Hirao, Monica Perusquia-Hernandez, Hideaki Uchiyama, and Kiyoshi Kiyokawa,
“Preparing Users to Embody their Avatar in VR: Insights on the Effects of Priming, Mental Imagery, and Acting on Embodiment Experiences”
(Abstract): Establishing a strong connection between users and their avatars in virtual reality poses an enduring challenge. Despite technical advancements, some users resist their avatars, while others seamlessly accept them as replacements for their bodies. We investigate the feasibility of pre-conditioning users to embrace their avatars prior to immersion. To do so, we propose a user preparation protocol involving three stages: first, users receive information about their avatar’s identity, capabilities, and appearance. Next, they engage in a mental imagery exercise, envisioning themselves as their avatar. Finally, they physically impersonate their avatar’s character through an acting exercise. Testing this protocol involved a study with 48 participants embodying an avatar representing the Hulk, with and without preparation. We could not find significant effects of the user preparation on the sense of embodiment, Proteus effects, or affective bond. This prompts further discussion on how users can be primed to accept their avatars as their own bodies, an idea introduced for the first time in this paper.
(Paper): https://sciencespo.hal.science/UNIV-BORDEAUX/hal-04822108v1
