The psychological functions of avatars and alt(s): A qualitative study

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• 作者：Richard Gilbert ; V ; ana Thadani ; Caitlyn H ; y ; Haley Andrews ; Tristan Sguigna ; Alex Sasso ; Stephanie Payne
• 关键词：Identity ; Virtual worlds ; Avatars ; Qualitative analysis ; Second Life
• 刊名：Computers in Human Behavior
• 出版年：March, 2014
• 年：2014
• 卷：32
• 期：Complete
• 页码：1-8
• 全文大小：672 K

文摘

Prior research has shown that approximately 50% of active participants in the 3D virtual world of Second Life have one or more secondary avatars or 鈥渁lts鈥?in addition to their primary avatar. Thus, these individuals are operating a 鈥渕ultiple or poly-identity system鈥?composed of a physical self, a primary avatar, and one or more alts. However, little is known about the functions these virtual identities serve for the virtual-world user. The current study involved qualitative analysis of semistructured interviews with Second Life participants (N = 24) who had a primary avatar and at least one alt. Interviews were coded to examine the functions that primary avatars and alts served. Eight functions鈥攕even suggested by previous research on virtual world identity and one that emerged from analyses鈥攚ere reflected in a large majority of the transcribed interviews and are described in the article. The current findings add to our understanding of how multifaceted identity systems operate, as more individuals augment their physical self with a set of virtual identities.