The Effect of the Agency and Anthropomorphism on Users' Sense of Telepresence, Copresence, and Social Presence in Virtual Environments

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 481-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristine L. Nowak ◽  
Frank Biocca
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
The Other ◽  
Virtual Image ◽  
Computer Controlled ◽  
Set Up

We report on an experiment that examined the influence of anthropomorphism and perceived agency on presence, copresence, and social presence in a virtual environment. The experiment varied the level of anthropomorphism of the image of interactants: high anthropomorphism, low anthropomorphism, or no image. Perceived agency was manipulated by telling the participants that the image was either an avatar controlled by a human, or an agent controlled by a computer. The results support the prediction that people respond socially to both human and computer-controlled entities, and that the existence of a virtual image increases tele-presence. Participants interacting with the less-anthropomorphic image reported more copresence and social presence than those interacting with partners represented by either no image at all or by a highly anthropomorphic image of the other, indicating that the more anthropomorphic images set up higher expectations that lead to reduced presence when these expectations were not met.

Me and My VE, Part 5: Applications in Human Factors Research and Practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 2051-2055
Author(s):  
Randall Spain ◽  
Benjamin Goldberg ◽  
Jeffrey Hansberger ◽  
Tami Griffith ◽  
Jeremy Flynn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Human Performance ◽  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Human Factors Research

Recent advances in technology have made virtual environments, virtual reality, augmented reality, and simulations more affordable and accessible to researchers, companies, and the general public, which has led to many novel use cases and applications. A key objective of human factors research and practice is determining how these technology-rich applications can be designed and applied to improve human performance across a variety of contexts. This session will demonstrate some of the distinct and diverse uses of virtual environments and mixed reality environments in an alternative format. The session will begin with each demonstrator providing a brief overview of their virtual environment (VE) and a description of how it has been used to address a particular problem or research need. Following the description portion of the session, each VE will be set-up at a demonstration station in the room, and session attendees will be encouraged to directly interact with the virtual environment and ask demonstrators questions about their research and inquire about the effectiveness of using VE for research, training, and evaluation purposes. The overall objective of this alternative session is to increase the awareness of how human factors professionals use VE technologies and increase the awareness of the capabilities and limitations of VE in supporting the work of HF professionals.

scholarly journals Back to Reality: Differences in Learning Strategy in a Simplified Virtual and a Real Throwing Task

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaoran Zhang ◽  
Dagmar Sternad
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Arm Movement ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Movement Variability ◽  
The Real ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Motor Neuroscience ◽  
Set Up

Virtual environments have been widely utilized in motor neuroscience and rehabilitation as they afford tight control of sensorimotor conditions and readily afford visual and haptic manipulations. However, typically studies have only examined performance in the virtual testbeds, without asking how performance in the virtual environment compares to behavior in the real world. To test that, this study compared throwing in a virtual and real set-up where the task parameters were precisely matched. Even though the virtual task only required a single-joint arm movement, similar to many simplified movement assays in motor neuroscience, throwing accuracy and precision was significantly better in the real task; only after three days did the performance reach same levels. To gain more insight into the structure of the learning process, movement variability was decomposed into deterministic and stochastic contributions to distinct stages of learning by using the TNC method: Tolerance was optimized first and was higher in the virtual environment, suggesting that more familiarization and exploration is needed in the virtual task. Covariation and noise showed far fewer and only contributes late in the real task, indicating that subjects reached the stage of fine-tuning of variability only in the real task. These results showed that while the tasks were precisely matched, the simplified movements in the virtual environment required more practice to be successful. These findings resonate with the reported problems in transfer of therapeutic benefits from virtual to real environments and alert that the use of virtual environments in research and rehabilitation needs more caution.

Real and Illusory Interactions Enhance Presence in Virtual Environments

2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holger Regenbrecht ◽  
Thomas Schubert
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Mental Representation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Component Model ◽  
Spatial Presence ◽  
Sense Of Presence ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Actual Interaction

It has long been argued that the possibility to interact in and with a virtual environment (VE) enhances the sense of presence. On the basis of a three-component model of presence, we specify this hypothesis and argue that the mental representation of possible actions should especially enhance spatial presence, and to a lesser extent the involvement and realness of a VE. We support this hypothesis in three studies. A correlative study showed that self-reported interaction possibilities correlated significantly with spatial presence, but not with the other two factors. A first experimental study showed that possible self-movement significantly increased spatial presence and realness. A second experimental study showed that even the illusion of interaction, with no actual interaction taking place, significantly increased spatial presence.

scholarly journals Modeling the Metaverse: A Theoretical Model of Effective Team Collaboration in 3D Virtual Environments

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Van der Land ◽  
Alexander P. Schouten ◽  
Bart Van den Hooff ◽  
Frans Feldberg
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Team Collaboration ◽  
Communication Support ◽  
Being There ◽  
3D Virtual Environments

In this paper, a theoretical model of effective team collaboration in 3D virtual environments is presented. The aim of this model is to enhance our understanding of the capabilities exerting influence on effective 3D virtual team collaboration. The model identifies a number of specific capabilities of 3D virtual worlds that can contribute to this team effectiveness. Compared to "traditional" computer-mediated collaboration technologies, 3D virtual environments support team collaboration primarily through (a) the shared virtual environment, and (b) avatar-based interaction. Through the shared virtual environment, users experience higher levels of presence (a feeling of actually "being there"), realism and interactivity. These capabilities increase the users' level of information processing.  Avatar-based interaction induces greater feelings of social presence (being with others) and control over  self-presentation (how one wants to be perceived by others), thus increasing the level of communication support in the 3D environment. Through greater levels of information and communication support, a higher level of shared understanding is reached, which in turn positively influences team performance. Our paper concludes by presenting several propositions which allow further empirical testing, implications for research and practice, and suggestions for future research. The insights obtained from this paper can help developers of these virtual worlds to design standards for the capabilities that influence effective team collaboration in 3D virtual environments. 

scholarly journals Effect of Behavioral Realism on Social Interactions Inside Collaborative Virtual Environments

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Herrera ◽  
Soo Youn Oh ◽  
Jeremy N. Bailenson
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Nonverbal Behavior ◽  
Interpersonal Attraction ◽  
Arm Movements ◽  
Head Movements ◽  
The Other ◽  
Dyadic Interaction ◽  
Collaborative Virtual Environments

Collaborative virtual environments (CVEs), wherein people can virtually interact with each other via avatars, are becoming increasingly prominent. However, CVEs differ in type of avatar representation and level of behavioral realism afforded to users. The present investigation compared the effect of behavioral realism on users' nonverbal behavior, self-presence, social presence, and interpersonal attraction during a dyadic interaction. Fifty-one dyads (aged 18 to 26) embodied either a full-bodied avatar with mapped hands and inferred arm movements, an avatar consisting of only a floating head and mapped hands, or a static full-bodied avatar. Planned contrasts compared the effect of behavioral realism against no behavioral realism, and compared the effect of low versus high behavioral realism. Results show that participants who embodied the avatar with only a floating head and hands experienced greater social presence, self-presence, and interpersonal attraction than participants who embodied a full-bodied avatar with mapped hands. In contrast, there were no significant differences on these measures between participants in the two mapped-hands conditions and those who embodied a static avatar. Participants in the static-avatar condition rotated their own physical head and hands significantly less than participants in the other two conditions during the dyadic interaction. Additionally, side-to-side head movements were negatively correlated with interpersonal attraction regardless of condition. We discuss implications of the finding that behavioral realism influences nonverbal behavior and communication outcomes.

scholarly journals VR Pedestrian Simulator Studies at Home: Comparing Google Cardboards to Simulators in the Lab and Reality

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Maruhn
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
The Other ◽  
Home Setting ◽  
Head Mounted Displays ◽  
Data Points ◽  
The University ◽  
At Home

Virtual Reality is commonly applied as a tool for analyzing pedestrian behavior in a safe and controllable environment. Most such studies use high-end hardware such as Cave Automatic Virtual Environments (CAVEs), although, more recently, consumer-grade head-mounted displays have also been used to present these virtual environments. The aim of this study is first of all to evaluate the suitability of a Google Cardboard as low-cost alternative, and then to test subjects in their home environment. Testing in a remote setting would ultimately allow more diverse subject samples to be recruited, while also facilitating experiments in different regions, for example, investigations of cultural differences. A total of 60 subjects (30 female and 30 male) were provided with a Google Cardboard. Half of the sample performed the experiment in a laboratory at the university, the other half at home without an experimenter present. The participants were instructed to install a mobile application to their smartphones, which guided them through the experiment, contained all the necessary questionnaires, and presented the virtual environment in conjunction with the Cardboard. In the virtual environment, the participants stood at the edge of a straight road, on which two vehicles approached with gaps of 1–5 s and at speeds of either 30 or 50 km/h. Participants were asked to press a button to indicate whether they considered the gap large enough to be able to cross safely. Gap acceptance and the time between the first vehicle passing and the button being pressed were recorded and compared with data taken from other simulators and from a real-world setting on a test track. A Bayesian approach was used to analyze the data. Overall, the results were similar to those obtained with the other simulators. The differences between the two Cardboard test conditions were marginal, but equivalence could not be demonstrated with the evaluation method used. It is worth mentioning, however, that in the home setting with no experimenter present, significantly more data points had to be treated or excluded from the analysis.

Computer-Controlled Hrem Alignment Using Automated Diffractogram Analysis

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 532-533
Author(s):  
G.Y. Fan ◽  
O.L. Krivanek
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
The Other ◽  
Full Information ◽  
Resolution Electron ◽  
Skilled Operator ◽  
Automatic Alignment ◽  
High Resolution Electron Microscope ◽  
Computer Controlled ◽  
Recorded Image

Full alignment of a high resolution electron microscope (HREM) requires five parameters to be optimized: the illumination angle (beam tilt) x and y, defocus, and astigmatism magnitude and orientation. Because neither voltage nor current centering lead to the correct illumination angle, all the adjustments must be done on the basis of observing contrast changes in a recorded image. The full alignment can be carried out by a computer which is connected to a suitable image pick-up device and is able to control the microscope, sometimes with greater precision and speed than even a skilled operator can achieve. Two approaches to computer-controlled (automatic) alignment have been investigated. The first is based on measuring the dependence of the overall contrast in the image of a thin amorphous specimen on the relevant parameters, the other on measuring the image shift. Here we report on our progress in developing a new method, which makes use of the full information contained in a computed diffractogram.

Effects of Human vs. Computer-Controlled Characters and Social Identity Cues on Enjoyment

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Peña ◽  
Jannath Ghaznavi ◽  
Nicholas Brody ◽  
Rui Prada ◽  
Carlos Martinho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Identity ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Group Identification ◽  
Virtual Character ◽  
Character Type ◽  
Computer Controlled ◽  
Media Enjoyment ◽  
Identification Processes

Abstract. This study explored how group identification, avatar similarity identification, and social presence mediated the effect of character type (avatars or agents) and social identity cues (presence or absence of avatars wearing participants’ school colors) on game enjoyment. Playing with teammate avatars increased enjoyment indirectly by enhancing group identification. In addition, the presence of social identity cues increased enjoyment indirectly by augmenting identification with one’s avatar. Unexpectedly, playing in multiplayer mode in the presence of social identity cues decreased enjoyment, whereas playing in multiplayer mode in the absence of social identity cues increased enjoyment. Social presence was not a reliable mediator. The findings supported media enjoyment and social identity theories, and highlighted how virtual character type and identification processes influence enjoyment.

Doctrine and Dialectic in Plato’s Dialogues

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachana Kamtekar
Keyword(s):  
Methodological Approach ◽  
The Other ◽  
Set Up

Chapter 1 lays out the methodological approach employed throughout the book, which is to pay attention to the dialectical dependence of what the main speaker in the dialogue says on the intellectual problem(s) set up in the dialogue both by himself and the other speakers. To illustrate, Chapter 1 describes Socrates’ use of the method of hypotheses from the Meno and Phaedo to answer questions that go beyond his claims to knowledge in the Republic.

scholarly journals Preparation of alcohol-based handrub in COVID-19 Alsatian cluster

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elodie Di-Falco ◽  
Johan Bourbon ◽  
Isalyne Sbaffe ◽  
Jean-Daniel Kaiser
Keyword(s):  
Critical Period ◽  
Hospital Management ◽  
Management Team ◽  
The Other ◽  
Packaging Materials ◽  
Local Production ◽  
Technical Grade ◽  
Hand Sanitizer ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Real Challenge

AbstractAlsace, in particular Haut-Rhin, is one of the main clusters of COVID-19 in France. There has been a shortage of essential supplies in the area, especially alcohol-based hand sanitizer. In this context, and in accordance with the decree dated March 6, 2020, our hospital management team asked us to start local production of alcohol-based handrub. This was a real challenge: In one week, we had to implement the production of handrub to meet the needs of a 1,400-bed hospital. The production had to comply with the French preparation guidelines and take place on specific premises, with qualified and calibrated equipment, by qualified staff, under the supervision of a pharmacist. The other big challenge we faced was the supply of pharmaceutical raw and packaging materials. During this particular critical period, all suppliers were out of stock. Here, we describe the organizational set-up and the decisions made, e. g., to use technical-grade ethanol before the publication of the decrees dated March 13 and March 23, 2020.

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