The effect of VR avatar embodiment on improving attitudes and closeness toward immigrants
Past research has discussed how the embodiment of an outgroup avatar in virtual reality (VR) can reduce intergroup bias. However, little is known about the mechanisms and boundary conditions that shape this effect. This study examines how the embodiment of both outgroup and ingroup VR avatars in dif...
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sg-ntu-dr.10356-1540972023-03-05T15:58:39Z The effect of VR avatar embodiment on improving attitudes and closeness toward immigrants Chen, Vivian Hsueh Hua Ibasco, Gabrielle C. Leow, Vetra Jing Xuan Lew, Juline Yun Yee Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information Social sciences::Communication Avatar Embodiment Virtual Reality Past research has discussed how the embodiment of an outgroup avatar in virtual reality (VR) can reduce intergroup bias. However, little is known about the mechanisms and boundary conditions that shape this effect. This study examines how the embodiment of both outgroup and ingroup VR avatars in different orders influences attitudes and perceived closeness toward a co-ethnic immigrant outgroup in Singapore. It also investigates the role of empathy and social identity orientation (SIO) in this relationship. An experiment with four avatar embodiment conditions (ingroup-then-outgroup, outgroup-then-ingroup, ingroup-only, and outgroup-only) was carried out with 171 participants from a public university in Singapore. Results showed that embodying an outgroup avatar alone, compared to embodying an ingroup avatar alone, significantly improves both attitudes and closeness toward an immigrant outgroup. The order of embodiment matters to an extent, suggesting the greater effectiveness of outgroup-first over ingroup-first embodiment in reducing bias. Empathy mediates the effect of all three outgroup embodiment conditions on improved attitudes and closeness toward immigrants. It was also found that the stronger one's SIO is, the more effective embodiment is in improving perceived closeness with the outgroup via empathy. Theoretical implications of these findings are discussed. Ministry of Education (MOE) Published version This research is supported by the Ministry of Education, Singapore, under its Academic Research Fund Tier 2 Grant (MOE2017-T2-2-145). 2022-06-08T07:12:32Z 2022-06-08T07:12:32Z 2021 Journal Article Chen, V. H. H., Ibasco, G. C., Leow, V. J. X. & Lew, J. Y. Y. (2021). The effect of VR avatar embodiment on improving attitudes and closeness toward immigrants. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 705574-. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.705574 1664-1078 https://hdl.handle.net/10356/154097 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.705574 34721153 2-s2.0-85118300105 12 705574 en MOE2017-T2-2-145 Frontiers in Psychology © 2021 Chen, Ibasco, Leow and Lew. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. application/pdf |
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Social sciences::Communication Avatar Embodiment Virtual Reality Chen, Vivian Hsueh Hua Ibasco, Gabrielle C. Leow, Vetra Jing Xuan Lew, Juline Yun Yee The effect of VR avatar embodiment on improving attitudes and closeness toward immigrants |
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Past research has discussed how the embodiment of an outgroup avatar in virtual reality (VR) can reduce intergroup bias. However, little is known about the mechanisms and boundary conditions that shape this effect. This study examines how the embodiment of both outgroup and ingroup VR avatars in different orders influences attitudes and perceived closeness toward a co-ethnic immigrant outgroup in Singapore. It also investigates the role of empathy and social identity orientation (SIO) in this relationship. An experiment with four avatar embodiment conditions (ingroup-then-outgroup, outgroup-then-ingroup, ingroup-only, and outgroup-only) was carried out with 171 participants from a public university in Singapore. Results showed that embodying an outgroup avatar alone, compared to embodying an ingroup avatar alone, significantly improves both attitudes and closeness toward an immigrant outgroup. The order of embodiment matters to an extent, suggesting the greater effectiveness of outgroup-first over ingroup-first embodiment in reducing bias. Empathy mediates the effect of all three outgroup embodiment conditions on improved attitudes and closeness toward immigrants. It was also found that the stronger one's SIO is, the more effective embodiment is in improving perceived closeness with the outgroup via empathy. Theoretical implications of these findings are discussed. |
author2 |
Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information |
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Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information Chen, Vivian Hsueh Hua Ibasco, Gabrielle C. Leow, Vetra Jing Xuan Lew, Juline Yun Yee |
format |
Article |
author |
Chen, Vivian Hsueh Hua Ibasco, Gabrielle C. Leow, Vetra Jing Xuan Lew, Juline Yun Yee |
author_sort |
Chen, Vivian Hsueh Hua |
title |
The effect of VR avatar embodiment on improving attitudes and closeness toward immigrants |
title_short |
The effect of VR avatar embodiment on improving attitudes and closeness toward immigrants |
title_full |
The effect of VR avatar embodiment on improving attitudes and closeness toward immigrants |
title_fullStr |
The effect of VR avatar embodiment on improving attitudes and closeness toward immigrants |
title_full_unstemmed |
The effect of VR avatar embodiment on improving attitudes and closeness toward immigrants |
title_sort |
effect of vr avatar embodiment on improving attitudes and closeness toward immigrants |
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2022 |
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https://hdl.handle.net/10356/154097 |
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1759856932728864768 |