How Collaboration Context and Personality Traits Shape the Social Norms of Human-to-Avatar Identity Representation

This 11-minute IEEE conference talk explores how avatars function as extensions of personal identity in digital spaces. Examine research findings from a 150-participant survey investigating social norms around avatar modifications across different contexts. Learn how modifications are perceived more positively from a partner's perspective, particularly for changeable attributes, while being less acceptable in professional environments. Discover the correlation between personality traits and avatar modification acceptance, with high self-monitoring individuals showing resistance to changes and those with Machiavellian traits demonstrating greater acceptance. Gain insights into designing context-sensitive avatar customization systems that balance core identity elements with personality-driven preferences while respecting established social norms. Presented by researchers from KAIST, University of Calgary, and University of Southern California as part of the "Perception, Embodiment, and Spatial Awareness" session.