Gender Differences in the Impact of Presentational Factors in Human Character Animation on Decisions in Ethical Dilemmas

Abstract

Simulated humans in computer interfaces are increasingly taking on roles that were once reserved for real humans. The presentation of simulated humans is affected by their appearance, motion quality, and interactivity. These presentational factors can influence the decisions of those who interact with them. This is of concern to interface designers and users alike, because these decisions often have moral and ethical consequences. However, the impact of presentational factors on decisions in ethical dilemmas has not been explored. This study is intended as a first effort toward filling this gap. In a between-groups experiment, a female character presented participants with an ethical dilemma. The character's human photorealism and motion quality were varied to generate four stimulus conditions: real human versus computer-generated character ϫ fluid versus jerky movement. The results indicate that the stimulus condition had no significant effect on female participants, while male participants were significantly more likely to rule against the character when her visual appearance was computer generated and her movements were jerky.

The effect of onset asynchrony in audio-visual speech and the Uncanny Valley in virtual characters

“…Virtual characters with a realistic, human-like appearance are commonly featured in 3D immersive environments, animation and simulations used for psychological assessment (MacDorman et al, 2010;Von Bergen, 2010). As well as for entertainment purposes (in video games and film), virtual characters are increasingly being used to present moral and ethical dilemmas in the legal, medical and recruitment professions (MacDorman et al, 2010;Von Bergen, 2010).…”

“…As well as for entertainment purposes (in video games and film), virtual characters are increasingly being used to present moral and ethical dilemmas in the legal, medical and recruitment professions (MacDorman et al, 2010;Von Bergen, 2010). For example, potential employees are being placed in scenarios that may include perturbed customers, prospective clients or difficult co-workers to assess their reaction to the given scenario (Von Bergen, 2010).…”

“…For example, potential employees are being placed in scenarios that may include perturbed customers, prospective clients or difficult co-workers to assess their reaction to the given scenario (Von Bergen, 2010). However, with the increased drive towards realism in these virtual characters, the Uncanny Valley has also been associated with synthetic, human-like characters used in a wide variety of such applications (Brenton et al, 2005;MacDorman et al, 2009MacDorman et al, , 2010Geller, 2008;Pollick, 2010;Tinwell and Grimshaw, 2009;Von Bergen, 2010). Particular concern has been raised as to how the appearance and behaviour of a virtual character may influence the decisions made by participants confronted with an ethical dilemma and the reliability and validity of psychological assessments which employ such synthetic agents (Von Bergen, 2010;MacDorman et al, 2010).…”

“…However, with the increased drive towards realism in these virtual characters, the Uncanny Valley has also been associated with synthetic, human-like characters used in a wide variety of such applications (Brenton et al, 2005;MacDorman et al, 2009MacDorman et al, , 2010Geller, 2008;Pollick, 2010;Tinwell and Grimshaw, 2009;Von Bergen, 2010). Particular concern has been raised as to how the appearance and behaviour of a virtual character may influence the decisions made by participants confronted with an ethical dilemma and the reliability and validity of psychological assessments which employ such synthetic agents (Von Bergen, 2010;MacDorman et al, 2010). Previous studies suggest that viewers respond more positively to characters when the degree of behavioural fidelity (e.g., motor activity) matches their human-like appearance and less favourably when their actions are perceived as unnatural, with rigid or jerky movements (Bailenson et al, 2005;Ho et al, 2008;MacDorman et al, 2010;MacDorman and Ishiguro, 2006;Vinayagamoorthy et al, 2005).…”

“…Particular concern has been raised as to how the appearance and behaviour of a virtual character may influence the decisions made by participants confronted with an ethical dilemma and the reliability and validity of psychological assessments which employ such synthetic agents (Von Bergen, 2010;MacDorman et al, 2010). Previous studies suggest that viewers respond more positively to characters when the degree of behavioural fidelity (e.g., motor activity) matches their human-like appearance and less favourably when their actions are perceived as unnatural, with rigid or jerky movements (Bailenson et al, 2005;Ho et al, 2008;MacDorman et al, 2010;MacDorman and Ishiguro, 2006;Vinayagamoorthy et al, 2005). For example, viewers experience the uncanny more when there is a perceived lack of human-likeness in a character's speech and facial expression (Tinwell et al, 2010;Tinwell et al, 2011aTinwell et al, , 2011b.…”