<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Avatar-based virtual reality (VR) is becoming more prevalent in industry and educational settings. There is, however, limited research on the extent to which gender stereotypes are present in this environment. The university laboratory study presented in this paper was conducted in a VR environment with participants who were randomly assigned to male or female avatars and instructed to negotiate the role of a manager or member of staff. The results reveal differences in satisfaction regarding their roles and gender. Participants who embodied a female avatar were less happy when they were subordinates interacting with a male avatar, compared to participants embodying a male avatar in the staff role (interacting with a female avatar). Male avatars with staff roles were also more content with their avatar than male avatars with manager roles and also reported being more comfortable in the VR experience. Relevant for diversity management when integrating VR in education and business, the results are discussed in regard to self-similarity and social identity dynamics and provide insight into understanding the extent to which gender stereotypes may be present in avatar-based VR.</p>
</abstract>

Avatar-based virtual reality (VR) is becoming more prevalent in industry and educational settings. There is, however, limited research on the extent to which gender stereotypes are present in this environment. The university laboratory study presented in this paper was conducted in a VR environment with participants who were randomly assigned to male or female avatars and instructed to negotiate the role of a manager or member of staff. The results reveal differences in satisfaction regarding their roles and gender. Participants who embodied a female avatar were less happy when they were subordinates interacting with a male avatar, compared to participants embodying a male avatar in the staff role (interacting with a female avatar). Male avatars with staff roles were also more content with their avatar than male avatars with manager roles and also reported being more comfortable in the VR experience. Relevant for diversity management when integrating VR in education and business, the results are discussed in regard to self-similarity and social identity dynamics and provide insight into understanding the extent to which gender stereotypes may be present in avatar-based VR.

Avatar-based virtual reality and the associated gender stereotypes in a university environment

European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Avatar-based virtual reality (VR) is becoming more prevalent in industry and educational settings. There is, however, limited research on the extent to which...

Avatar-based virtual reality and the associated gender stereotypes in a university environment

Article Category: Research Article

Publié en ligne: 20 oct. 2022

Pages: 11 - 24

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/eurodl-2022-0002

Mots clés
Computer-mediated communication, Virtual reality, Gender stereotypes

© 2022 Monika Pröbster et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Avatar-based virtual reality and the associated gender stereotypes in a university environment

Article Category: Research Article

Publié en ligne: 20 oct. 2022

Pages: 11 - 24

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/eurodl-2022-0002

Mots clésComputer-mediated communication, Virtual reality, Gender stereotypes

© 2022 Monika Pröbster et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mots clés
Computer-mediated communication, Virtual reality, Gender stereotypes