Attachment Dynamics in a Virtual World

Abstract

The study investigated the transfer of attachment working models onto autonomous agents in a virtual social environment (VSE). Participants from a community sample (N = 422; mean age = 29 years; mean relationship duration = 4.8 years) encountered three attachmentrelated key scenes in a VSE: a separation with a subsequent reunion, a conflict, and an illness. In these scenarios, participants gave instructions to the main character (the "protagonist"), who had a romantic relationship with one of the other agents (the "virtual spouse"). Recorded were numerous behaviors as well as emotions participants ascribed to the protagonist. Generally, participants' attachment styles correlated as predicted with their behavior toward the virtual spouse, with bs up to .42. Thus, the study demonstrates that internal working models are transferred to the virtual relationship. This approach opens new ways to investigate attachmentrelated behavior by using VSEs that allow experimental variations of the virtual partner's reactions and other situational variables.Attachment theory assumes that representations of early childhood experiences and other past relationships shape an internal working model that influences perception and behavior in new relationships

A Novel Integrating Virtual Reality Approach for the Assessment of the Attachment Behavioral System

“…To date, three studies have investigated the attachment behavioral system in close relationships using virtual environments (Kane et al, 2012; Schönbrodt and Asendorpf, 2012; Symons et al, 2015). In the first study, Schönbrodt and Asendorpf (2012) created a 2D online computer game (Simoland), for investigating attachment behaviors toward a virtual partner during attachment-related experiences (separation, conflict, and threat).…”

“…In the first study, Schönbrodt and Asendorpf (2012) created a 2D online computer game (Simoland), for investigating attachment behaviors toward a virtual partner during attachment-related experiences (separation, conflict, and threat). Technologically, Simoland used a low-cost and open environment with non-immersive graphical representation in which the characters were depicted by simple beings able to interact each other by vignettes.…”

Virtual Rituals: Community, Emotion, and Ritual in Massive Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games—A Quantitative Test and Extension of Structural Ritualization Theory

“…Even if there is growing agreement that the Internet can act as a positive force for place-based communities, there is still disagreement over whether communities can exist online; that is, are there such things as "virtual communities" (Driskell and Lyon 2002;Soukup 2006;Steinkuehler and Williams 2006;Schönbrodt and Asendorpf 2012)? However, Cohen (1985) argued that the use of the word community generates a relational understanding with two central elements: (1) that people have something in common with each other and (2) they can distinguish themselves from others.…”

“…1 MMORPGs also allow players to create hierarchical subunits referred to as guilds. Guilds can have memberships into the thousands and span multiple games (Ang and Zaphiris 2010;Schönbrodt and Asendorpf 2012).…”

“…Online Role-Playing Games (Chayko 2002;Schönbrodt and Asendorpf 2012;Soukup 2006;Wellman and Gulia 1999;Wilson 2006). The concepts of community and ritual are relevant analytical frameworks for examining online social interaction.…”