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The Potential of Virtual Reality as a Tool to Connect Social Science and Design Research: A Case Study of Implicit Bias in Virtual Interactions

Levesque, Henry
http://orcid.org/0009-0008-5636-1143
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1684772350814312

Abstract Details

2023, MDES, University of Cincinnati, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Design.
This study explores the intersection of social science and design research using virtual reality (VR) to experience virtual spaces. The purpose of this study is to investigate how visual bias is replicated in virtual spaces using photorealistic virtual characters from Metahuman to determine if the appearance of the virtual character affects the comfort level of participants in VR scenarios. A sample of 16 college students participated in VR scenarios with virtual characters displaying different weight and gender. The level of comfort with each virtual character was measured using self-reported comfort level, heart rate, and distance. The results, though not statistically significant, suggested that, as hypothesized, participants felt more comfortable with Metahumans that displayed low weight and a gender match with the participant. This study also highlights the potential of using VR to model interactions that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to recreate in physical scenarios. Finally, this study also provides recommendations for the use of VR in future research.
Wei Wang, Ph.D. M.F.A. (Committee Chair)
Matthew Wizinsky, M.F.A. (Committee Member)
Alejandro Lozano Robledo, M.Des. (Committee Member)
53 p.
Design
Virtual Reality; Social Impact Design; Design Research; Gender Bias; Weight Bias; Virtual Interpersonal Interaction

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Levesque, H. (2023). The Potential of Virtual Reality as a Tool to Connect Social Science and Design Research: A Case Study of Implicit Bias in Virtual Interactions [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1684772350814312

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Levesque, Henry. The Potential of Virtual Reality as a Tool to Connect Social Science and Design Research: A Case Study of Implicit Bias in Virtual Interactions. 2023. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1684772350814312.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Levesque, Henry. "The Potential of Virtual Reality as a Tool to Connect Social Science and Design Research: A Case Study of Implicit Bias in Virtual Interactions." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1684772350814312

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1684772350814312
83
© 2023, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License The Potential of Virtual Reality as a Tool to Connect Social Science and Design Research: A Case Study of Implicit Bias in Virtual Interactions by Henry Levesque is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.