Kolloquium
Am Montag, den 24. Februar 2025, um 16:15 Uhr hält
Simon Kimmel
Universität Oldenburg
im Rahmen seiner beabsichtigten Dissertation einen Vortrag mit dem Titel
Elevating Social Presence in Multi-User VR
Der Vortrag findet im OFFIS, Escherweg 2, Raum F02 statt.
 

Abstract:
In contemporary society, social connectedness is increasingly at risk due to shifts in both professional and personal domains, such as remote work and globalization-driven mobility. This trend has profound social consequences, contributing to heightened levels of loneliness and social isolation, which in turn negatively impact mental and physical well-being. Multi-user virtual reality (VR) emerges as a promising technology to address this challenge by providing immersive and interactive environments for remote social interactions. However, despite its potential, current multi-user VR systems often fail to foster a compelling sense of "being with another" - the so-called social presence.
This dissertation aims to systematically investigate how social presence—the psychological experience of perceiving a technologically mediated counterpart as real—can be enhanced in multi-user VR. Social presence is crucial for successful technology-mediated interactions, as it correlates with positive outcomes such as trust, enjoyment, and naturalistic social behavior. Existing research in this domain primarily focuses on other communication technologies, leaving a gap in understanding the unique challenges posed by multi-user VR environments. In particular, the influence of user representations and their properties remains underexplored, despite being central to VR-mediated social interactions.
To address this research gap, this dissertation examines three key properties of user representations that may enhance social presence in multi-user VR: (1) behavioral realism, (2) visualizing mental states, and (3) social touch. First, this work explores whether avatars with realistic facial expressions and gestures can foster a stronger sense of social presence. Second, given that access to an interaction partner’s mental state is integral to social presence, the study investigates whether real-time visualization of cognitive load derived from biosensory feedback can enhance perceived connectedness. Third, the dissertation examines the potential of integrating haptic social touch, such as handshakes and high-fives, to increase social presence. The research follows a human-centered design approach, employing requirement analyses through interviews and surveys, followed by controlled lab experiments assessing social presence in dyadic user interactions. Findings indicate that behavioral realism, particularly through eye and mouth movements, significantly enhances social presence. Cognitive load visualizations further foster social presence, particularly in tasks with lower cognitive demand. Additionally, haptic feedback in social touch not only increases social presence but also reduces negative affect, reinforcing its potential to support social interactions in VR.
By systematically identifying effective design strategies, this dissertation provides actionable guidelines for enhancing social presence in multi-user VR, contributing to the broader discourse on leveraging technology to mitigate social isolation in an increasingly digital world.
Betreuerin: Prof. Dr. Susanne Boll