On the Relationship between My Avatar and Myself

Authors

  • Paul R Messinger University of Alberta
  • Xin Ge University of Northern British Columbia
  • Eleni Stroulia University of Alberta
  • Kelly Lyons University of Toronto
  • Kristen Smirnov University of Alberta
  • Michael Bone University of Alberta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4101/jvwr.v1i2.352

Keywords:

Avatar appearance, avatar behavior, virtual worlds, self-concept, self-enhancement, self-verification, deindividuation

Abstract

What is the relationship between avatars and the people they represent in terms of appearance and behavior? In this paper, we hypothesize that people (balancing motives of self-verification and self-enhancement) customize the image of their avatars to bear similarity to their real selves, but with moderate enhancements. We also hypothesize that virtual-world behavior (due to deindividuation in computer-mediated communication environments) is less restrained by normal inhibitions than real-world behavior. Lastly, we hypothesize that people with more attractive avatars than their real selves will be somewhat more confident and extraverted in virtual worlds than they are in the real world. We examine these issues using data collected from Second Life residents using an in-world intercept method that involved recruiting respondents
Cover of 2nd Issue

Downloads

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2008): Consumer Behavior in Virtual Worlds

Section

Peer Reviewed Research Papers

License

The JVWR is an academic journal. As such, it is dedicated to the open exchange of information. For this reason, JVWR is freely available to individuals and institutions. Copies of this journal or articles in this journal may be distributed for research or educational purposes only free of charge and without permission. However, the JVWR does not grant permission for use of any content in advertisements or advertising supplements or in any manner that would imply an endorsement of any product or service. All uses beyond research or educational purposes require the written permission of the JVWR. Authors who publish in the Journal of Virtual Worlds Research will release their articles under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivative Works 3.0 United States (cc-by-nd) license. This journal utilizes the LOCKSS system to create a distributed archiving system among participating libraries and permits those libraries to create permanent archives of the journal for purposes of preservation and restoration. The publisher perpetually authorizes participants in the LOCKSS system to archive and restore our publication through the LOCKSS System for the benefit of all LOCKSS System participants. Specifically participating libraries may: