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Published on: June 1, 2015
Action effect consistency and body ownership in the avatar-Simon task
Christian Böffel1, Jochen Müsseler1
1Work and Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Psychology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
Action effect consistency enhances avatar perspective-taking, especially when embodied. This research explores how aligning actions with digital selves influences our connection to avatars, impacting both visual perspective and body ownership.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Digital alter egos and avatar interactions are increasingly common.
- Understanding the psychological mechanisms of avatar embodiment is crucial.
- Visual perspective taking and body ownership are key to avatar immersion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of action effect consistency in avatar embodiment.
- To examine how consistent action effects influence visual perspective taking and body ownership.
- To differentiate the impact of embodied versus non-embodied action effects.
Main Methods:
- Participants completed a Simon task with a task-irrelevant avatar.
- Action effects were manipulated to be either corresponding or random.
- Experiments distinguished between embodied (linked to avatar) and independent action effects.
- Spontaneous visual perspective taking was measured via stimulus-response compatibility.
- Perceived body ownership was assessed using a questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Consistent action effects significantly increased spontaneous visual perspective taking towards the avatar.
- Embodied action effects showed a more pronounced impact on avatar compatibility.
- Perceived body ownership differences were only significant when action effects were embodied.
- Action effect consistency is a key factor in avatar perspective-taking.
Conclusions:
- Action effect consistency is vital for developing a sense of self within an avatar.
- Embodiment amplifies the effects of action consistency on avatar interaction.
- Findings contribute to understanding subjective and objective measures of avatar embodiment.
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