Children and adults use attractiveness as a social cue in real people and avatars

Abstract

Observing social interactions between children and adults is a major method in the toolkit of psychologists who examine social development and social relationships. Although this method has revealed many interesting phenomena, it cannot determine the effect of behavior independent of other traits. Research on the role of attractiveness in social development provides an example of this conundrum: Are attractive and unattractive children/adults treated differently because of their attractiveness (independent of their behavior), do they behave differently and thus elicit differential treatment, or both? Virtual world and avatar-based technologies allow researchers to control the social behaviors of targets; however, whether children and adults use the facial attractiveness of avatars as a social cue in the same way they do real peers is currently unknown. Using Mii™ avatars from the popular Nintendo® Wii™ video game console, Study 1 found that the facial attractiveness ratings of real people strongly predicted the attractiveness ratings of avatar faces based on the former group. Study 2 revealed that adults (n = 46) and children (n = 42) prefer attractive avatars as social partners. The results of this set of methodological studies may help to clarify future research on the relationship between attractiveness and behavior throughout the lifespan. Furthermore, the use of avatars may allow studies to experimentally examine the effects of attractiveness in situations in which such research is not ethical (e.g., peer victimization).

Under Pressure: Avatar Appearance and Cognitive Load Effects on Attitudes, Trustworthiness, Bidding, and Interpersonal Distance in a Virtual Store

“…For instance, participants experience greater learning gains after interacting with computer-controlled tutors depicted as ''experts'' when the character's race is nontraditional (i.e., African-American versus Caucasian), as perhaps this is unexpected and, thus, makes participants pay more attention (Baylor & Kim, 2004). In addition, adults and children prefer physically attractive avatars as partners (Principe & Langlois, 2013), and attractive avatars are more persuasive (Holzwarth, Janiszewski, & Neumann, 2006). In general, realistic virtual characters influence social behavior more reliably than less realistic characters (Guadagno et al, 2007).…”

Beauty in the eye of the beholder? Attractiveness in a virtual world

“…Khan and De Angeli (2009) similarly found that avatars that were rated as more attractive were also perceived as more intellectually-, socially-and morally-competent. They were also preferred as social partners (Principe & Langlois, 2013). Additionally, Yee et al (2009) found that when users were assigned to taller avatars, they behaved more aggressively in a negotiation task.…”

“…In addition to the potential for continuity between users and their online avatars, the standards and stereotypes embedded in larger sociopolitical contexts can also seep into online contexts (Boellstorff, 2008;Kendall, 1998;Lehdonvirta, Nagashima, Lehdonvirta, & Baba, 2012;Palomares & Lee, 2010;. Past studies suggest that, much like offline appearance, avatar appearance matters when it comes to creating positive interactions online for youth and adults (Dehn & Van Mulken, 2000;Messinger et al, 2008;Nowak & Rauh, 2005;Principe & Langlois, 2013;Yee, Bailenson, & Ducheneaut, 2009). For example, Messinger et al (2008) found that people who created SL avatars that were more attractive than their offline selves reported being more outgoing, extraverted, risk-taking, and loud online.…”

“…Whereas studies have explored the effect of avatar attractiveness on the behaviors of other users within a virtual context (Dehn & Van Mulken, 2000;Messinger et al, 2008;Principe & Langlois, 2013;, few studies have examined whether offline standards of attractiveness for male and females are applied to the construction and perception of online avatars. Khan and De Angeli (2009), for example, found that offline attractiveness stereotypes may be reproduced online among attractive, female avatars and that interaction with these avatars may moderate perceptions.…”

“…Research suggests that, although users are somewhat psychologically separated from their online selves and do conform to some online norms, most do not appear to be creating a completely different second self online (Linares et al, 2011). Many offline social behaviors and expectations, such as interpersonal distance conventions, altruism, and attractiveness stereotypes transfer into virtual environments (Behm-Morawitz, 2013;Khan & De Angeli, 2009;Merola & Pena, 2009;Principe & Langlois, 2013;Yee, Bailenson, Urbanek, Chang, & Merget, 2007). Offline beliefs and standards of attractiveness may also be applied to online representations of the self in the form of avatars.…”