Embodied agents from a user's perspective

Abstract

Human-like agents in the interface may evoke social responses in users, and literature suggests that realism is the most important factor herein. However, the effects of embodied agents on the user are not well understood. We developed an integrative framework, called I-PEFiC, to explain ‘persona’ and realism effects on the user. We tested an important part of the model using an experimental design in which 140 secondary school students were class-wise shown an informative virtual reality demonstration that incorporated either a realistic or an unrealistic (fantasy) embodied agent, or no agent. Findings show, first, no persona effect on task performance. We discuss how user engagement might be related to persona effects. Second, designed realism of the embodied agent contributed to user engagement when controlled for various user perceptions. Moreover, perceived aesthetics and task-relevance further influenced user engagement. Third, user engagement and task performance combined better predicted satisfaction than either one of the factors alone. In sum, several appearanceand task-related factors contributed to user engagement and user satisfaction. Thus, realism is not all. This chapter is published as: Van Vugt, H. C., Konijn, E. A., Hoorn, J. F., Keur, I., and Eliens, A. (2007). Realism is not all! User engagement with task-related interface characters. Interacting with Computers, 19(2):267–280.

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