The impact of avatar realism and anonymity on effective communication via mobile devices

Authors:
Sin-Hwa Kang;James H. Watt
Affiliations:
Institute for Creative Technologies, University of Southern California, 12015 Waterfront Drive, Playa Vista, CA 90094, USA;Department of Communication Sciences, University of Connecticut, 850 Bolton Road, U-1085, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
Venue:
Computers in Human Behavior
Year:
2013

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Abstract

This research investigates the impact on social communication quality of using anonymous avatars during small-screen mobile audio/visual communications. Elements of behavioral and visual realism of avatars are defined, as is an elaborated three-component measure of communication quality called Social Copresence. Experimental results with 196 participants participating in a social interaction using a simulated mobile device with varied levels of avatar visual and behavioral realism showed higher levels of avatar Kinetic Conformity and Fidelity produced increased perceived Social Richness of Medium, while higher avatar Anthropomorphism produced higher levels of Psychological Copresence and Interactant Satisfaction with Communication. Increased levels of avatar Anonymity produced decreases in Social Copresence, but these were smaller when avatars possessed higher levels of visual and behavioral realism.