Assuming the appearance of an omnipotent character in virtual reality increases self-esteem and makes you stronger even in the real world, improving the perception of one's physical abilities and one's ability to overcome difficulties: the discovery is made by a group of Italian researchers from the Italian Institute of Technology (Iit), in collaboration with the Sapienza University of Rome and the Irccs Santa Lucia Foundation Hospital.
The study, published in the Scientific Reports journal, opens up applications in the field of personal growth, self-esteem enhancement, clinical rehabilitation and even pain therapy.
A moment of the IIT experiment (Source: Italian Institute of Technology - © IIT)
Studies conducted in past years had already demonstrated that particular physical characteristics of avatars, virtual characters, can influence the perceptions and behaviors of those who impersonate them, a phenomenon known as the 'Proteus Effect'.
Starting from these observations, the researchers led by Althea Frisanco recruited a group of 54 volunteers, each of whom assumed the appearance of three different avatars: one normal, one muscular and one omnipotent, inspired by the representation of God present in the fresco of Michelangelo's 'The Creation of the Stars and Plants' in the Sistine Chapel.
The results show that participants who impersonated the omnipotent avatar perceived adverse events as less threatening to their safety and increased their opinion of their own physical abilities, even compared to the muscular avatar.
"Although the participants were aware of being in a simulation - explains Frisanco - they showed physiological and behavioral indicators that suggested their feeling of empowerment, derived from impersonating a being commonly considered omnipotent".