Rosa Mikeal Martey & Mia Consalvo (2011) Performing the Looking-Glass Self:
Avatar Appearance and Group Identity in Second Life, Popular Communication, 9:3, 165-180, DOI:
10.1080/15405702.2011.583830
The aim of the study: The research is designed to examine the ways players use their avatars to participate in a group or join social groups in SL.Despite the wide range of options for modifying avatars' appearances, users tend to consider social and gender norms. For example, most avatars are Caucasian humans (even though avatars can be non-humans in SL)
The reviewed article studies the link between appearance and perception. Such aim is based Goffman theory (1959) looking-glass self which declared how people make appearance preferences based on how they think others see them.
The method of study: The research is done by observations, interviews and two surveys conducted in 2010.
During the study, 211 participants were asked to play a point-and-click game for two hours in the form of 48 groups.The game required finding and reading clues and passing five districts.
Apparently, such game needed team communication and solving mysteries.
Findings of the Study:
The first clear finding is that tested residence showed an amount of anxiety facing not knowing what their avatar should look like to fit in the group norm.
Another interesting finding is other users' judgements based on avatars movement and clothes. More experienced users tend to label new residence as rookies and judge them on their free clothes from freebies and their movement.
Finally, the research demonstrates the willingness of choosing conventional representation based on offline selves among almost every user in Second Life. Most of the residents tend to choose the same gender avatar as their real world identity and they would choose Caucasian identity even though few of them were African or Asian.
Avatar Appearance and Group Identity in Second Life, Popular Communication, 9:3, 165-180, DOI:
10.1080/15405702.2011.583830
The aim of the study: The research is designed to examine the ways players use their avatars to participate in a group or join social groups in SL.Despite the wide range of options for modifying avatars' appearances, users tend to consider social and gender norms. For example, most avatars are Caucasian humans (even though avatars can be non-humans in SL)
The reviewed article studies the link between appearance and perception. Such aim is based Goffman theory (1959) looking-glass self which declared how people make appearance preferences based on how they think others see them.
The method of study: The research is done by observations, interviews and two surveys conducted in 2010.
During the study, 211 participants were asked to play a point-and-click game for two hours in the form of 48 groups.The game required finding and reading clues and passing five districts.
Apparently, such game needed team communication and solving mysteries.
Findings of the Study:
The first clear finding is that tested residence showed an amount of anxiety facing not knowing what their avatar should look like to fit in the group norm.
Another interesting finding is other users' judgements based on avatars movement and clothes. More experienced users tend to label new residence as rookies and judge them on their free clothes from freebies and their movement.
Finally, the research demonstrates the willingness of choosing conventional representation based on offline selves among almost every user in Second Life. Most of the residents tend to choose the same gender avatar as their real world identity and they would choose Caucasian identity even though few of them were African or Asian.
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