Unity in diversity, but only if you are beautiful: online self-representations and platform choices in virtual social environments

Diversity is embraced in various contexts, including virtual social environments. Avatars constitute one means of representing oneself online. This research explores the extent of diversity of human-like avatars in virtual social environments. Drawing on the hyperpersonal model and categorization-el...

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Main Authors: Lin, Bernice Xiangting, Fan, Ruoxi, Lou, Chen, Qiu, Lin
Other Authors: Interdisciplinary Graduate School (IGS)
Format: Conference or Workshop Item
Language:English
Published: 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10356/173842
https://www.icahdq.org/mpage/ica24
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Institution: Nanyang Technological University
Language: English
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spelling sg-ntu-dr.10356-1738422024-03-06T07:28:06Z Unity in diversity, but only if you are beautiful: online self-representations and platform choices in virtual social environments Lin, Bernice Xiangting Fan, Ruoxi Lou, Chen Qiu, Lin Interdisciplinary Graduate School (IGS) School of Social Sciences Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information 74th Annual International Communication Association Conference (ICA 2024) Ageing Research Institute for Society and Education Computer and Information Science Social Sciences Diversity Virtual social environment Hyperpersonal model Categorization-elaboration model Critical media effects framework Diversity is embraced in various contexts, including virtual social environments. Avatars constitute one means of representing oneself online. This research explores the extent of diversity of human-like avatars in virtual social environments. Drawing on the hyperpersonal model and categorization-elaboration model, we assess user choices regarding avatar self-representations and virtual social platforms and demonstrate how diversity could be hindered in virtual social environments. We developed an avatar customization website and conducted two online studies to explore our hypotheses. Our results demonstrate that diversity in terms of facial symmetry, eye wrinkles, and forehead wrinkles were reduced in avatar self-representations than in actual selves. Diversity in hair color and freckles could be expanded online. Pro-diversity beliefs and perceived attractiveness of the platform moderated the effect of perceived diversity on platform choices. Our studies highlight nuances in pro-diversity platform choices and diversity of online self-representations and bear important theoretical implications on existing conceptual frameworks. Nanyang Technological University This research is supported by Interdisciplinary Graduate School (IGS). 2024-03-06T07:28:05Z 2024-03-06T07:28:05Z 2024 Conference Paper Lin, B. X., Fan, R., Lou, C. & Qiu, L. (2024). Unity in diversity, but only if you are beautiful: online self-representations and platform choices in virtual social environments. 74th Annual International Communication Association Conference (ICA 2024). https://hdl.handle.net/10356/173842 https://www.icahdq.org/mpage/ica24 en © 2024 International Communication Association. All rights reserved.
institution Nanyang Technological University
building NTU Library
continent Asia
country Singapore
Singapore
content_provider NTU Library
collection DR-NTU
language English
topic Computer and Information Science
Social Sciences
Diversity
Virtual social environment
Hyperpersonal model
Categorization-elaboration model
Critical media effects framework
spellingShingle Computer and Information Science
Social Sciences
Diversity
Virtual social environment
Hyperpersonal model
Categorization-elaboration model
Critical media effects framework
Lin, Bernice Xiangting
Fan, Ruoxi
Lou, Chen
Qiu, Lin
Unity in diversity, but only if you are beautiful: online self-representations and platform choices in virtual social environments
description Diversity is embraced in various contexts, including virtual social environments. Avatars constitute one means of representing oneself online. This research explores the extent of diversity of human-like avatars in virtual social environments. Drawing on the hyperpersonal model and categorization-elaboration model, we assess user choices regarding avatar self-representations and virtual social platforms and demonstrate how diversity could be hindered in virtual social environments. We developed an avatar customization website and conducted two online studies to explore our hypotheses. Our results demonstrate that diversity in terms of facial symmetry, eye wrinkles, and forehead wrinkles were reduced in avatar self-representations than in actual selves. Diversity in hair color and freckles could be expanded online. Pro-diversity beliefs and perceived attractiveness of the platform moderated the effect of perceived diversity on platform choices. Our studies highlight nuances in pro-diversity platform choices and diversity of online self-representations and bear important theoretical implications on existing conceptual frameworks.
author2 Interdisciplinary Graduate School (IGS)
author_facet Interdisciplinary Graduate School (IGS)
Lin, Bernice Xiangting
Fan, Ruoxi
Lou, Chen
Qiu, Lin
format Conference or Workshop Item
author Lin, Bernice Xiangting
Fan, Ruoxi
Lou, Chen
Qiu, Lin
author_sort Lin, Bernice Xiangting
title Unity in diversity, but only if you are beautiful: online self-representations and platform choices in virtual social environments
title_short Unity in diversity, but only if you are beautiful: online self-representations and platform choices in virtual social environments
title_full Unity in diversity, but only if you are beautiful: online self-representations and platform choices in virtual social environments
title_fullStr Unity in diversity, but only if you are beautiful: online self-representations and platform choices in virtual social environments
title_full_unstemmed Unity in diversity, but only if you are beautiful: online self-representations and platform choices in virtual social environments
title_sort unity in diversity, but only if you are beautiful: online self-representations and platform choices in virtual social environments
publishDate 2024
url https://hdl.handle.net/10356/173842
https://www.icahdq.org/mpage/ica24
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