Forming meaningful connections between strangers in virtual reality: Comparing affiliative outcomes by interaction modality.

Abstract

At present the extent to which close, meaningful connections can be formed in virtual reality (VR) between strangers is unknown, as is how the development of such connections compares to those formed in other established communication modalities. The present preregistered experiment examined the induction of closeness in VR using a validated social interaction task and how it compares with such induction in other interaction modalities with respect to affiliative outcomes (e.g., closeness toward and perceived responsiveness of interaction partner). Based on previous theory and research, we hypothesized that affiliative outcomes would be higher in interaction modalities featuring more versus less sensory input but would not differ significantly between the most sensoryrich modalities (video and VR). Two hundred seventy-two previously unacquainted undergraduate students were randomly assigned to interact with a partner (forming 136 dyads) using the "fast friends" procedure (Aron et al., 1997) via either text, audio chat, video chat, or VR. Results were consistent with hypotheses, suggesting that closeness and related outcomes can be generated and experienced in VR akin to levels experienced via other sensory-rich computer-mediated modalities. Exploratory analyses of possible individual difference moderator variables (Big Five personality dimensions and attachment orientations) yielded largely nonsignificant findings, suggesting the robustness of the obtained findings across individual differences.

Effects of racial discrimination on stress, negative emotions, and alcohol craving: A registered report of a virtual reality experiment.

“…Virtual reality can be a viable tool to simulate psychologically relevant experiences while allowing researchers experimental control and to offer stimuli that are realistic. Our present study is consistent with emerging data on the usefulness of VR in psychological science—particularly as it pertains to human social and emotional connections (Agnew et al, 2022; Shin, 2018; Ventura et al, 2020). According to our participants’ responses to the immersion/realism questions, there was a considerable degree of presence in the IVE.…”

Feeling close to a Crab-Thing in virtual reality: Does avatar appearance always matter in forming meaningful connections? A case study

“…In an exploratory vein, we also examined the possible moderating role of individual differences in affiliative outcomes by avatar condition, focusing on personality (John & Srivastava, 1999) and attachment (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2016). Previous research found essentially no moderating effects of these intra-and interpersonal variables with respect to interaction modality in producing affiliative outcomes in VR with human appearing avatars (Agnew et al, 2022), but we advanced no specific hypotheses with respect to any differential effects of individual differences.…”

“…An additional strength is the inclusion of important individual difference variables (personality dimensions and the attachment orientations of anxiety and avoidance), as past research has rarely examined key personality variables that may influence the generation of closeness among strangers. An exception is recent work focusing on interaction modality effects, which tested for differences in affiliative outcomes between various modalities (texting, audio chat, video chat, and VR), that also found essentially no moderating effects for these individual differences (Agnew et al, 2022). When considered in combination with the results from this related recent work, the current findings imply the robustness of the obtained findings across individual differences.…”

“…Recent experimental research has revealed that people can form meaningful relationships interacting with strangers as human appearing avatars in virtual reality (VR) by following a structured interaction procedure. The resulting levels of affiliative outcomes (e.g., feelings of closeness, enjoyment of the interaction) are indistinguishable statistically from those attained via interactions taking place in other sensory-rich communication modalities (e.g., via video chat; Agnew et al, 2022).…”

“…Such research has markedly increased recognition that avatar-based effects, at times, can and do occur. However, it is not known whether the findings from recent experimental research on the generation of interpersonal closeness in VR featuring human appearing avatars (Agnew et al, 2022) extend to avatars of non-human form. The present case study sought to fill this gap, extending past work by examining how the induction of closeness in VR through a validated social interaction task compares when occurring between stylized avatars of human and non-human form as well as the combination of these types.…”