Publications

• Obremski, David, and Carolin Wienrich. “Autonomous VR Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Disorders Using Conversational AI—Ethical and Technical Implications and Preliminary Results”. Scientific Research Publishing 12, no. 4 (April 2024). https://doi.org/10.4236/jcc.2024.124010.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  The need for psychotherapy is very high and the lack of care causes a lot of suffering and high costs. This paper presents an interdisciplinary approach to creating an AI-guided exposure therapy for fear of heights in virtual reality (VR). First, ethical principles for the use of conversational AI in psychotherapy were translated into technical requirements and made measurable. Based on this, an autonomous virtual reality exposure therapy was iteratively developed with a therapist. The feasibility and implementation of the ethical principles were tested with a patient. The patient was very satisfied with the VR setup. The AI therapist was also rated positively, although there is still room for improvement regarding conversational skills. Overall, the paper shows how AI can contribute responsibly to improving the psycho-therapeutic supply. It also provides guidelines that make ethical principles tangible and measurable for developers.

  @article{obremski2024autonomous, abstract = {The need for psychotherapy is very high and the lack of care causes a lot of suffering and high costs. This paper presents an interdisciplinary approach to creating an AI-guided exposure therapy for fear of heights in virtual reality (VR). First, ethical principles for the use of conversational AI in psychotherapy were translated into technical requirements and made measurable. Based on this, an autonomous virtual reality exposure therapy was iteratively developed with a therapist. The feasibility and implementation of the ethical principles were tested with a patient. The patient was very satisfied with the VR setup. The AI therapist was also rated positively, although there is still room for improvement regarding conversational skills. Overall, the paper shows how AI can contribute responsibly to improving the psycho-therapeutic supply. It also provides guidelines that make ethical principles tangible and measurable for developers.}, author = {Obremski, David and Wienrich, Carolin}, journal = {Scientific Research Publishing}, keywords = {obremski}, month = {04}, number = 4, title = {Autonomous VR Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Disorders Using Conversational AI—Ethical and Technical Implications and Preliminary Results}, volume = 12, year = 2024 }
• Mal, David, Nina Döllinger, Erik Wolf, Stephan Wenninger, Mario Botsch, Carolin Wienrich, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “Am I the Odd One? Exploring (in)congruencies in the Realism of Avatars and Virtual Others in Virtual Reality”. Frontiers in Virtual Reality 5 (2024). https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2024.1417066.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Virtual humans play a pivotal role in social virtual environments, shaping users’ VR experiences. The diversity in available options and users’ individual preferences can result in a heterogeneous mix of appearances among a group of virtual humans. The resulting variety in higher-order anthropomorphic and realistic cues introduces multiple (in)congruencies, eventually impacting the plausibility of the experience. However, related work investigating the effects of being co-located with multiple virtual humans of different appearances remains limited. In this work, we consider the impact of (in)congruencies in the realism of a group of virtual humans, including co-located others (agents) and one’s self-representation (self-avatar), on users’ individual VR experiences. In a 2 × 3 mixed design, participants embodied either (1) a personalized realistic or (2) a customized stylized self-avatar across three consecutive VR exposures in which they were accompanied by a group of virtual others being either (1) all realistic, (2) all stylized, or (3) mixed between stylized and realistic. Our results indicate groups of virtual others of higher realism, i.e., potentially more congruent with participants’ real-world experiences and expectations, were considered more human-like, increasing the feeling of co-presence and the impression of interaction possibilities. (In)congruencies concerning the homogeneity of the group did not cause considerable effects. Furthermore, our results indicate that a self-avatar’s congruence with the participant’s real-world experiences concerning their own physical body yielded notable benefits for virtual body ownership and self-identification for realistic personalized avatars. Notably, the incongruence between a stylized self-avatar and a group of realistic virtual others resulted in diminished ratings of self-location and self-identification. This suggests that higher-order (in)congruent visual cues that are not within the ego-central referential frame of one’s (virtual) body, can have an (adverse) effect on the relationship between one’s self and body. We conclude on the implications of our findings and discuss our results within current theories of VR experiences, considering (in)congruent visual cues and their impact on the perception of virtual others, self-representation, and spatial presence

  @article{mal2024oddone, abstract = {Virtual humans play a pivotal role in social virtual environments, shaping users’ VR experiences. The diversity in available options and users’ individual preferences can result in a heterogeneous mix of appearances among a group of virtual humans. The resulting variety in higher-order anthropomorphic and realistic cues introduces multiple (in)congruencies, eventually impacting the plausibility of the experience. However, related work investigating the effects of being co-located with multiple virtual humans of different appearances remains limited. In this work, we consider the impact of (in)congruencies in the realism of a group of virtual humans, including co-located others (agents) and one’s self-representation (self-avatar), on users’ individual VR experiences. In a 2 × 3 mixed design, participants embodied either (1) a personalized realistic or (2) a customized stylized self-avatar across three consecutive VR exposures in which they were accompanied by a group of virtual others being either (1) all realistic, (2) all stylized, or (3) mixed between stylized and realistic. Our results indicate groups of virtual others of higher realism, i.e., potentially more congruent with participants’ real-world experiences and expectations, were considered more human-like, increasing the feeling of co-presence and the impression of interaction possibilities. (In)congruencies concerning the homogeneity of the group did not cause considerable effects. Furthermore, our results indicate that a self-avatar’s congruence with the participant’s real-world experiences concerning their own physical body yielded notable benefits for virtual body ownership and self-identification for realistic personalized avatars. Notably, the incongruence between a stylized self-avatar and a group of realistic virtual others resulted in diminished ratings of self-location and self-identification. This suggests that higher-order (in)congruent visual cues that are not within the ego-central referential frame of one’s (virtual) body, can have an (adverse) effect on the relationship between one’s self and body. We conclude on the implications of our findings and discuss our results within current theories of VR experiences, considering (in)congruent visual cues and their impact on the perception of virtual others, self-representation, and spatial presence}, author = {Mal, David and Döllinger, Nina and Wolf, Erik and Wenninger, Stephan and Botsch, Mario and Wienrich, Carolin and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, journal = {Frontiers in Virtual Reality}, keywords = {dmal}, title = {Am I the odd one? Exploring (in)congruencies in the realism of avatars and virtual others in virtual reality}, volume = 5, year = 2024 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, Viktoria Horn, Arne Bürger, and Jana Krauss. “Personal Space Invasion to Prevent Cyberbullying: Design, Development, and Evaluation of an Immersive Prevention Measure for Children and Adolescents”. Springer Virtual Reality, 2024.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  Previous work on cyberbullying has shown that the number of victims is increasing and the need for prevention is exceptionally high among younger school students (5th-9th grade). Due to the omnipresence of cyberattacks, victims can hardly distance themselves psychologically, thus experience an intrusion in almost all areas of life. The perpetrators, on the other hand, feel the consequences of their actions even less in cyberspace. However, there is a gap between the need and the existence of innovative prevention programs tied to the digital reality of the target group and the treatment of essential aspects of psychological distance. This article explores the design space, feasibility, and effectiveness of a unique VR-based cyberbullying prevention component in a human-centered iterative approach. The central idea is reflected in creating a virtual personal space invasion with virtual objects associated with cyberbullying making the everyday intrusion of victims tangible. A pre-study revealed that harmful speech texts in bright non-removable message boxes best transferred the psychological determinants associated with a personal space invasion to virtual objects contextualized in cyberbullying scenarios. Therefore, these objects were incorporated into a virtual prevention program that was then tested in a laboratory study with 41 participants. The results showed that the intervention could trigger cognitive dissonance and empathy. In the second step, the intervention was evaluated and improved in a focus group with the actual target group of children and adolescents. The improved application was then evaluated in a school workshop for five days with 100 children and adolescents. The children understood the metaphor of virtual space invasion by the harmful text boxes and reported the expected psychological effects. They also showed great interest in VR. In summary, this paper contributes to the innovative and effective prevention of cyberbullying by using the potential of VR. It provides empirical evidence from a laboratory experiment and a field study with a large sample from the target group of children and adolescents and discusses implications for future developments.

  @article{wienrich2024personal, abstract = {Previous work on cyberbullying has shown that the number of victims is increasing and the need for prevention is exceptionally high among younger school students (5th-9th grade). Due to the omnipresence of cyberattacks, victims can hardly distance themselves psychologically, thus experience an intrusion in almost all areas of life. The perpetrators, on the other hand, feel the consequences of their actions even less in cyberspace. However, there is a gap between the need and the existence of innovative prevention programs tied to the digital reality of the target group and the treatment of essential aspects of psychological distance. This article explores the design space, feasibility, and effectiveness of a unique VR-based cyberbullying prevention component in a human-centered iterative approach. The central idea is reflected in creating a virtual personal space invasion with virtual objects associated with cyberbullying making the everyday intrusion of victims tangible. A pre-study revealed that harmful speech texts in bright non-removable message boxes best transferred the psychological determinants associated with a personal space invasion to virtual objects contextualized in cyberbullying scenarios. Therefore, these objects were incorporated into a virtual prevention program that was then tested in a laboratory study with 41 participants. The results showed that the intervention could trigger cognitive dissonance and empathy. In the second step, the intervention was evaluated and improved in a focus group with the actual target group of children and adolescents. The improved application was then evaluated in a school workshop for five days with 100 children and adolescents. The children understood the metaphor of virtual space invasion by the harmful text boxes and reported the expected psychological effects. They also showed great interest in VR. In summary, this paper contributes to the innovative and effective prevention of cyberbullying by using the potential of VR. It provides empirical evidence from a laboratory experiment and a field study with a large sample from the target group of children and adolescents and discusses implications for future developments.}, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Horn, Viktoria and Bürger, Arne and Krauss, Jana}, journal = {Springer Virtual Reality}, keywords = {jkrauss}, title = {Personal Space Invasion to Prevent Cyberbullying: Design, Development, and Evaluation of an Immersive Prevention Measure for Children and Adolescents}, year = 2024 }
• Döllinger, Nina, Jessica Topel, Mario Botsch, Carolin Wienrich, Marc Erich Latoschik, and Jean-Luc Lugrin. “Exploring Agent-User Personality Similarity and Dissimilarity for Virtual Reality Psychotherapy”. In 2024 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW). https://downloads.hci.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de/2024-ieeevr-pandas-personality.pdf.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  Imaginary self-encounters are a common approach in psychotherapy. Recent virtual reality advancements enable innovative approaches to enhanced self-encounters using photorealistic personalized Doppelgangers (DG). Yet, next to appearance, similarity in body language could be a great driver of self-identification with a DG or a generic agent. One cost-efficient and time-saving approach could be personality-enhanced animations. We present a pilot study evaluating the effects of personality-enhanced body language in DGs and generic agents. Eleven participants evaluated a Photorealistic DG and a Generic Agent, animated in a seated position to simulate four personality types: Low and High Extraversion and Low and High Emotional Stability. Participants rated the agents' personalities and their self-identification with them. We found an overall positive relationship between a calculated personality similarity score, self-attribution, and perceived behavior-similarity. Perceived appearance-similarity was affected by personality similarity only in generic agents, indicating the potential of body language to provoke a feeling of similarity even in dissimilar-appearing agents.

  @inproceedings{dollinger2024exploring, abstract = {Imaginary self-encounters are a common approach in psychotherapy. Recent virtual reality advancements enable innovative approaches to enhanced self-encounters using photorealistic personalized Doppelgangers (DG). Yet, next to appearance, similarity in body language could be a great driver of self-identification with a DG or a generic agent. One cost-efficient and time-saving approach could be personality-enhanced animations. We present a pilot study evaluating the effects of personality-enhanced body language in DGs and generic agents. Eleven participants evaluated a Photorealistic DG and a Generic Agent, animated in a seated position to simulate four personality types: Low and High Extraversion and Low and High Emotional Stability. Participants rated the agents' personalities and their self-identification with them. We found an overall positive relationship between a calculated personality similarity score, self-attribution, and perceived behavior-similarity. Perceived appearance-similarity was affected by personality similarity only in generic agents, indicating the potential of body language to provoke a feeling of similarity even in dissimilar-appearing agents.}, author = {Döllinger, Nina and Topel, Jessica and Botsch, Mario and Wienrich, Carolin and Latoschik, Marc Erich and Lugrin, Jean-Luc}, booktitle = {2024 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW)}, keywords = {c.wienrich}, title = {Exploring Agent-User Personality Similarity and Dissimilarity for Virtual Reality Psychotherapy}, year = 2024 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, Stephanie Vogt, Nina Döllinger, and David Obremski. “Promoting Eco-Friendly Behavior through Virtual Reality - Implementation and Evaluation of Immersive Feedback Conditions of a Virtual CO2 Calculator”. In 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. https://downloads.hci.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de/2024_chi_co2_calculator.pdf.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges in the 21st century. Urgent actions favoring the environment's well-being are essential to mitigate its potentially irreversible consequences. However, the delayed and often distant nature of the effects of sustainable behavior makes it challenging for individuals to connect with the issue personally. Immersive media are an opportunity to introduce innovative feedback mechanisms to highlight the urgency of behavior effects. We introduce a VR carbon calculator that visualizes users' annual carbon footprint as CO2-filled balloons over multiple periods. In a 2x2 design, participants calculated and visualized their carbon footprint numerically or as balloons over one or three years. We found no effect of our visualization but a significant impact of the visualized period on participants' environmental self-efficacy. These findings emphasize the importance of target-oriented design in VR behavior interventions.

  @inproceedings{wienrich2024promoting, abstract = {Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges in the 21st century. Urgent actions favoring the environment's well-being are essential to mitigate its potentially irreversible consequences. However, the delayed and often distant nature of the effects of sustainable behavior makes it challenging for individuals to connect with the issue personally. Immersive media are an opportunity to introduce innovative feedback mechanisms to highlight the urgency of behavior effects. We introduce a VR carbon calculator that visualizes users' annual carbon footprint as CO2-filled balloons over multiple periods. In a 2x2 design, participants calculated and visualized their carbon footprint numerically or as balloons over one or three years. We found no effect of our visualization but a significant impact of the visualized period on participants' environmental self-efficacy. These findings emphasize the importance of target-oriented design in VR behavior interventions.}, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Vogt, Stephanie and Döllinger, Nina and Obremski, David}, booktitle = {2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems}, keywords = {c.wienrich}, title = {Promoting Eco-Friendly Behavior through Virtual Reality - Implementation and Evaluation of Immersive Feedback Conditions of a Virtual CO2 Calculator}, year = 2024 }
• Döllinger, Nina, David Mal, Sebastian Keppler, Erik Wolf, Mario Botsch, Johann Habakuk Israel, Marc Erich Latoschik, and Carolin Wienrich. “Virtual Body Swapping: A VR-Based Approach to Embodied Third-Person Self-Processing in Mind-Body Therapy”. In 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1145/3613904.3642328.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Virtual reality (VR) offers various opportunities for innovative therapeutic approaches, especially regarding self-related mind-body interventions. We introduce a VR body swap system enabling multiple users to swap their perspectives and appearances and evaluate its effects on virtual sense of embodiment (SoE) and perception- and cognition-based self-related processes. In a self-compassion-framed scenario, twenty participants embodied their personalized, photorealistic avatar, swapped bodies with an unfamiliar peer, and reported their SoE, interoceptive awareness (perception), and self-compassion (cognition). Participants' experiences differed between bottom-up and top-down processes. Regarding SoE, their agency and self-location shifted to the swap avatar, while their top-down self-identification remained with their personalized avatar. Further, the experience positively affected interoceptive awareness but not self-compassion. Our outcomes offer novel insights into the SoE in a multiple-embodiment scenario and highlight the need to differentiate between the different processes in intervention design. They raise concerns and requirements for future research on avatar-based mind-body interventions.

  @inproceedings{dollinger2024bodyswap, abstract = {Virtual reality (VR) offers various opportunities for innovative therapeutic approaches, especially regarding self-related mind-body interventions. We introduce a VR body swap system enabling multiple users to swap their perspectives and appearances and evaluate its effects on virtual sense of embodiment (SoE) and perception- and cognition-based self-related processes. In a self-compassion-framed scenario, twenty participants embodied their personalized, photorealistic avatar, swapped bodies with an unfamiliar peer, and reported their SoE, interoceptive awareness (perception), and self-compassion (cognition). Participants' experiences differed between bottom-up and top-down processes. Regarding SoE, their agency and self-location shifted to the swap avatar, while their top-down self-identification remained with their personalized avatar. Further, the experience positively affected interoceptive awareness but not self-compassion. Our outcomes offer novel insights into the SoE in a multiple-embodiment scenario and highlight the need to differentiate between the different processes in intervention design. They raise concerns and requirements for future research on avatar-based mind-body interventions.}, author = {Döllinger, Nina and Mal, David and Keppler, Sebastian and Wolf, Erik and Botsch, Mario and Israel, Johann Habakuk and Latoschik, Marc Erich and Wienrich, Carolin}, booktitle = {2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems}, keywords = {dmal}, pages = {1-18}, title = {Virtual Body Swapping: A VR-Based Approach to Embodied Third-Person Self-Processing in Mind-Body Therapy}, year = 2024 }

• Wienrich, Carolin, Astrid Carolus, André Markus, Yannik Augustin, Jan Pfister, and Andreas Hotho. “Long-Term Effects of Perceived Friendship With Intelligent Voice Assistants on Usage Behavior, User Experience, and Social Perceptions”. Computers 12, no. 4 (2023): 77. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/computers12040077.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Social patterns and roles can develop when users talk to intelligent voice assistants (IVAs) daily. The current study investigates whether users assign different roles to devices and how this affects their usage behavior, user experience, and social perceptions. Since social roles take time to establish, we equipped 106 participants with Alexa or Google assistants and some smart home devices and observed their interactions for nine months. We analyzed diverse subjective (questionnaire) and objective data (interaction data). By combining social science and data science analyses, we identified two distinct clusters—users who assigned a friendship role to IVAs over time and users who did not. Interestingly, these clusters exhibited significant differences in their usage behavior, user experience, and social perceptions of the devices. For example, participants who assigned a role to IVAs attributed more friendship to them used them more frequently, reported more enjoyment during interactions, and perceived more empathy for IVAs. In addition, these users had distinct personal requirements, for example, they reported more loneliness. This study provides valuable insights into the role-specific effects and consequences of voice assistants. Recent developments in conversational language models such as ChatGPT suggest that the findings of this study could make an important contribution to the design of dialogic human–AI interactions.

  @article{noauthororeditor2023longterm, abstract = {Social patterns and roles can develop when users talk to intelligent voice assistants (IVAs) daily. The current study investigates whether users assign different roles to devices and how this affects their usage behavior, user experience, and social perceptions. Since social roles take time to establish, we equipped 106 participants with Alexa or Google assistants and some smart home devices and observed their interactions for nine months. We analyzed diverse subjective (questionnaire) and objective data (interaction data). By combining social science and data science analyses, we identified two distinct clusters—users who assigned a friendship role to IVAs over time and users who did not. Interestingly, these clusters exhibited significant differences in their usage behavior, user experience, and social perceptions of the devices. For example, participants who assigned a role to IVAs attributed more friendship to them used them more frequently, reported more enjoyment during interactions, and perceived more empathy for IVAs. In addition, these users had distinct personal requirements, for example, they reported more loneliness. This study provides valuable insights into the role-specific effects and consequences of voice assistants. Recent developments in conversational language models such as ChatGPT suggest that the findings of this study could make an important contribution to the design of dialogic human–AI interactions.}, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Carolus, Astrid and Markus, André and Augustin, Yannik and Pfister, Jan and Hotho, Andreas}, journal = {Computers}, keywords = {a.carolus}, number = 4, pages = 77, title = {Long-Term Effects of Perceived Friendship with Intelligent Voice Assistants on Usage Behavior, User Experience, and Social Perceptions}, volume = 12, year = 2023 }
• Döllinger, Nina, Erik Wolf, Mario Botsch, Marc Erich Latoschik, and Carolin Wienrich. “Are Embodied Avatars Harmful to Our Self-Experience? The Impact of Virtual Embodiment on Body Awareness”. In 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1145/3544548.3580918.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Virtual Reality (VR) allows us to replace our visible body with a virtual self-representation (avatar) and to explore its effects on our body perception. While the feeling of owning and controlling a virtual body is widely researched, how VR affects the awareness of internal body signals (body awareness) remains open. Forty participants performed moving meditation tasks in reality and VR, either facing their mirror image or not. Both the virtual environment and avatars photorealistically matched their real counterparts. We found a negative effect of VR on body awareness, mediated by feeling embodied in and changed by the avatar. Further, we revealed a negative effect of a mirror on body awareness. Our results indicate that assessing body awareness should be essential in evaluating VR designs and avatar embodiment aiming at mental health, as even a scenario as close to reality as possible can distract users from their internal body signals.

  @inproceedings{dollinger2023embodied, abstract = {Virtual Reality (VR) allows us to replace our visible body with a virtual self-representation (avatar) and to explore its effects on our body perception. While the feeling of owning and controlling a virtual body is widely researched, how VR affects the awareness of internal body signals (body awareness) remains open. Forty participants performed moving meditation tasks in reality and VR, either facing their mirror image or not. Both the virtual environment and avatars photorealistically matched their real counterparts. We found a negative effect of VR on body awareness, mediated by feeling embodied in and changed by the avatar. Further, we revealed a negative effect of a mirror on body awareness. Our results indicate that assessing body awareness should be essential in evaluating VR designs and avatar embodiment aiming at mental health, as even a scenario as close to reality as possible can distract users from their internal body signals.}, author = {Döllinger, Nina and Wolf, Erik and Botsch, Mario and Latoschik, Marc Erich and Wienrich, Carolin}, booktitle = {2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems}, keywords = {vitras}, note = {Honorable Mention 🏆}, pages = {1-14}, title = {Are Embodied Avatars Harmful to our Self-Experience? The Impact of Virtual Embodiment on Body Awareness}, year = 2023 }
• Fiedler, Marie Luisa, Erik Wolf, Nina Döllinger, Mario Botsch, Marc Erich Latoschik, and Carolin Wienrich. “Embodiment and Personalization for Self-Identification With Virtual Humans”. In 2023 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW), 799-800. https://doi.org/10.1109/VRW58643.2023.00242.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Our work investigates the impact of virtual human embodiment and personalization on the sense of embodiment (SoE) and self-identification (SI). We introduce preliminary items to query self-similarity (SS) and self-attribution (SA) with virtual humans as dimensions of SI. In our study, 64 participants successively observed personalized and generic-looking virtual humans, either as embodied avatars in a virtual mirror or as agents while performing tasks. They reported significantly higher SoE and SI when facing personalized virtual humans and significantly higher SoE and SA when facing embodied avatars, indicating that both factors have strong separate and complimentary influence on SoE and SI.

  @inproceedings{fiedler2023selfidentification, abstract = {Our work investigates the impact of virtual human embodiment and personalization on the sense of embodiment (SoE) and self-identification (SI). We introduce preliminary items to query self-similarity (SS) and self-attribution (SA) with virtual humans as dimensions of SI. In our study, 64 participants successively observed personalized and generic-looking virtual humans, either as embodied avatars in a virtual mirror or as agents while performing tasks. They reported significantly higher SoE and SI when facing personalized virtual humans and significantly higher SoE and SA when facing embodied avatars, indicating that both factors have strong separate and complimentary influence on SoE and SI.}, author = {Fiedler, Marie Luisa and Wolf, Erik and Döllinger, Nina and Botsch, Mario and Latoschik, Marc Erich and Wienrich, Carolin}, booktitle = {2023 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW)}, keywords = {mfiedler}, pages = {799-800}, title = {Embodiment and Personalization for Self-Identification with Virtual Humans}, year = 2023 }
• Mal, David, Erik Wolf, Nina Döllinger, Carolin Wienrich, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “The Impact of Avatar and Environment Congruence on Plausibility, Embodiment, Presence, and the Proteus Effect in Virtual Reality”. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics 29, no. 5 (2023): 2358-68. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVCG.2023.3247089.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Many studies show the significance of the Proteus effect for serious virtual reality applications. The present study extends the existing knowledge by considering the relationship (congruence) between the self-embodiment (avatar) and the virtual environment. We investigated the impact of avatar and environment types and their congruence on avatar plausibility, sense of embodiment, spatial presence, and the Proteus effect. In a 2 × 2 between-subjects design, participants embodied either an avatar in sports- or business wear in a semantic congruent or incongruent environment while performing lightweight exercises in virtual reality. The avatar-environment congruence significantly affected the avatar’s plausibility but not the sense of embodiment or spatial presence. However, a significant Proteus effect emerged only for participants who reported a high feeling of (virtual) body ownership, indicating that a strong sense of having and owning a virtual body is key to facilitating the Proteus effect. We discuss the results assuming current theories of bottom-up and top-down determinants of the Proteus effect and thus contribute to understanding its underlying mechanisms and determinants.

  @article{mal2023impact, abstract = {Many studies show the significance of the Proteus effect for serious virtual reality applications. The present study extends the existing knowledge by considering the relationship (congruence) between the self-embodiment (avatar) and the virtual environment. We investigated the impact of avatar and environment types and their congruence on avatar plausibility, sense of embodiment, spatial presence, and the Proteus effect. In a 2 × 2 between-subjects design, participants embodied either an avatar in sports- or business wear in a semantic congruent or incongruent environment while performing lightweight exercises in virtual reality. The avatar-environment congruence significantly affected the avatar’s plausibility but not the sense of embodiment or spatial presence. However, a significant Proteus effect emerged only for participants who reported a high feeling of (virtual) body ownership, indicating that a strong sense of having and owning a virtual body is key to facilitating the Proteus effect. We discuss the results assuming current theories of bottom-up and top-down determinants of the Proteus effect and thus contribute to understanding its underlying mechanisms and determinants.}, author = {Mal, David and Wolf, Erik and Döllinger, Nina and Wienrich, Carolin and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, journal = {IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics}, keywords = {dmal}, number = 5, pages = {2358-2368}, title = {The Impact of Avatar and Environment Congruence on Plausibility, Embodiment, Presence, and the Proteus Effect in Virtual Reality}, volume = 29, year = 2023 }
• Döllinger, Nina, Matthias Beck, Erik Wolf, David Mal, Mario Botsch, Marc Erich Latoschik, and Carolin Wienrich. “‘If It’s Not Me It Doesn’t Make a Difference’ – The Impact of Avatar Personalization on User Experience and Body Awareness in Virtual Reality”. In 2023 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR), 483-92. https://doi.org/10.1109/ISMAR59233.2023.00063.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Body awareness is relevant for the efficacy of psychotherapy. However, previous work on virtual reality (VR) and avatar-assisted therapy has often overlooked it. We investigated the effect of avatar individualization on body awareness in the context of VR-specific user experience, including sense of embodiment (SoE), plausibility, and sense of presence (SoP). In a between-subject design, 86 participants embodied three avatar types and engaged in VR movement exercises. The avatars were (1) generic and gender-matched, (2) customized from a set of pre-existing options, or (3) personalized photorealistic scans. Compared to the other conditions, participants with personalized avatars reported increased SoE, yet higher eeriness and reduced body awareness. Further, SoE and SoP positively correlated with body awareness across conditions. Our results indicate that VR user experience and body awareness do not always dovetail and do not necessarily predict each other. Future research should work towards a balance between body awareness and SoE.

  @inproceedings{dollinger2023doesnt, abstract = {Body awareness is relevant for the efficacy of psychotherapy. However, previous work on virtual reality (VR) and avatar-assisted therapy has often overlooked it. We investigated the effect of avatar individualization on body awareness in the context of VR-specific user experience, including sense of embodiment (SoE), plausibility, and sense of presence (SoP). In a between-subject design, 86 participants embodied three avatar types and engaged in VR movement exercises. The avatars were (1) generic and gender-matched, (2) customized from a set of pre-existing options, or (3) personalized photorealistic scans. Compared to the other conditions, participants with personalized avatars reported increased SoE, yet higher eeriness and reduced body awareness. Further, SoE and SoP positively correlated with body awareness across conditions. Our results indicate that VR user experience and body awareness do not always dovetail and do not necessarily predict each other. Future research should work towards a balance between body awareness and SoE.}, author = {Döllinger, Nina and Beck, Matthias and Wolf, Erik and Mal, David and Botsch, Mario and Latoschik, Marc Erich and Wienrich, Carolin}, booktitle = {2023 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR)}, keywords = {dmal}, pages = {483-492}, title = {“If It’s Not Me It Doesn’t Make a Difference” – The Impact of Avatar Personalization on User Experience and Body Awareness in Virtual Reality}, year = 2023 }
• Fiedler, Marie Luisa, Erik Wolf, Carolin Wienrich, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “Holographic Augmented Reality Mirrors for Daily Self-Reflection on the Own Body Image”. In CHI 2023 WS28 Integrating Individual and Social Contexts into Self-Reflection Technologies Workshop, 1-4. https://downloads.hci.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de/2023-chi-reflection-workshop.pdf.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  Mirror self-reflection can help us to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of our body. Due to technological advancements, holographic augmented reality (AR) mirrors can create realistic visualizations of virtual humans that can represent one's appearance in an altered way while remaining in a familiar environment. Further developing those mirrors opens a new field for use in everyday life. In this work, we outline possible future scenarios where AR mirrors can empower individuals to visualize their emotions, thought patterns, and discrepancies related to their physical body and mental body image. Thus, AR mirrors can encourage their self-reflection, promote a positive and healthy relationship with their bodies, or motivate them to take action to improve their well-being.

  @inproceedings{fiedler2023holographic, abstract = {Mirror self-reflection can help us to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of our body. Due to technological advancements, holographic augmented reality (AR) mirrors can create realistic visualizations of virtual humans that can represent one's appearance in an altered way while remaining in a familiar environment. Further developing those mirrors opens a new field for use in everyday life. In this work, we outline possible future scenarios where AR mirrors can empower individuals to visualize their emotions, thought patterns, and discrepancies related to their physical body and mental body image. Thus, AR mirrors can encourage their self-reflection, promote a positive and healthy relationship with their bodies, or motivate them to take action to improve their well-being.}, author = {Fiedler, Marie Luisa and Wolf, Erik and Wienrich, Carolin and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, booktitle = {CHI 2023 WS28 Integrating Individual and Social Contexts into Self-Reflection Technologies Workshop}, keywords = {mfiedler}, pages = {1-4}, title = {Holographic Augmented Reality Mirrors for Daily Self-Reflection on the Own Body Image}, year = 2023 }

• Wolf, Erik, Marie Luisa Fiedler, Nina Döllinger, Carolin Wienrich, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “Exploring Presence, Avatar Embodiment, and Body Perception With a Holographic Augmented Reality Mirror”. In 2022 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR), 350-59. https://doi.org/10.1109/VR51125.2022.00054.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  The embodiment of avatars in virtual reality (VR) is a promising tool for enhancing the user's mental health. A great example is the treatment of body image disturbances, where eliciting a full-body illusion can help identify, visualize, and modulate persisting misperceptions. Augmented reality (AR) could complement recent advances in the field by incorporating real elements, such as the therapist or the user's real body, into therapeutic scenarios. However, research on the use of AR in this context is very sparse. Therefore, we present a holographic AR mirror system based on an optical see-through (OST) device and markerless body tracking, collect valuable qualitative feedback regarding its user experience, and compare quantitative results regarding presence, embodiment, and body weight perception to similar systems using video see-through (VST) AR and VR. For our OST AR system, a total of 27 normal-weight female participants provided predominantly positive feedback on display properties (field of view, luminosity, and transparency of virtual objects), body tracking, and the perception of the avatar’s appearance and movements. In the quantitative comparison to the VST AR and VR systems, participants reported significantly lower feelings of presence, while they estimated the body weight of the generic avatar significantly higher when using our OST AR system. For virtual body ownership and agency, we found only partially significant differences. In summary, our study shows the general applicability of OST AR in the given context offering huge potential in future therapeutic scenarios. However, the comparative evaluation between OST AR, VST AR, and VR also revealed significant differences in relevant measures. Future work is mandatory to corroborate our findings and to classify the significance in a therapeutic context.

  @inproceedings{wolf2022holographic, abstract = {The embodiment of avatars in virtual reality (VR) is a promising tool for enhancing the user's mental health. A great example is the treatment of body image disturbances, where eliciting a full-body illusion can help identify, visualize, and modulate persisting misperceptions. Augmented reality (AR) could complement recent advances in the field by incorporating real elements, such as the therapist or the user's real body, into therapeutic scenarios. However, research on the use of AR in this context is very sparse. Therefore, we present a holographic AR mirror system based on an optical see-through (OST) device and markerless body tracking, collect valuable qualitative feedback regarding its user experience, and compare quantitative results regarding presence, embodiment, and body weight perception to similar systems using video see-through (VST) AR and VR. For our OST AR system, a total of 27 normal-weight female participants provided predominantly positive feedback on display properties (field of view, luminosity, and transparency of virtual objects), body tracking, and the perception of the avatar’s appearance and movements. In the quantitative comparison to the VST AR and VR systems, participants reported significantly lower feelings of presence, while they estimated the body weight of the generic avatar significantly higher when using our OST AR system. For virtual body ownership and agency, we found only partially significant differences. In summary, our study shows the general applicability of OST AR in the given context offering huge potential in future therapeutic scenarios. However, the comparative evaluation between OST AR, VST AR, and VR also revealed significant differences in relevant measures. Future work is mandatory to corroborate our findings and to classify the significance in a therapeutic context.}, author = {Wolf, Erik and Fiedler, Marie Luisa and Döllinger, Nina and Wienrich, Carolin and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, booktitle = {2022 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR)}, keywords = {mfiedler}, pages = {350-359}, title = {Exploring Presence, Avatar Embodiment, and Body Perception with a Holographic Augmented Reality Mirror}, year = 2022 }
• Hein, Rebecca, Marc Erich Latoschik, and Carolin Wienrich. “Usability and User Experience of Virtual Objects Supporting Learning and Communicating in Virtual Reality”. In Mensch Und Computer 2022 - Tagungsband, edited by Bastian Pfleging, Kathrin Gerling, and Sven Mayer, 510-14. New York: ACM, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1145/3543758.3547568.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  This study aims to evaluate the usability and user experience of the InteractionSuitecase. This is a collection of virtual objects that have cultural connotations (associated with German or Anglo-American culture). They are intended to promote communication about cultural differences and similarities in English lessons at German schools. They are thus part of a didactic concept for using social VR for trans- and intercultural learning. Future teacher used the virtual objects during a practical seminar and rated them as useful. Further they associates a positive user experience. Since the virtual objects should encourage communication, the sense of connectedness instead of isolation is a very important results. The results proved the readiness of the InteractionSuitcase for further pedagogical applications.

  @inproceedings{mci/Hein2022, abstract = {This study aims to evaluate the usability and user experience of the InteractionSuitecase. This is a collection of virtual objects that have cultural connotations (associated with German or Anglo-American culture). They are intended to promote communication about cultural differences and similarities in English lessons at German schools. They are thus part of a didactic concept for using social VR for trans- and intercultural learning. Future teacher used the virtual objects during a practical seminar and rated them as useful. Further they associates a positive user experience. Since the virtual objects should encourage communication, the sense of connectedness instead of isolation is a very important results. The results proved the readiness of the InteractionSuitcase for further pedagogical applications.}, address = {New York}, author = {Hein, Rebecca and Latoschik, Marc Erich and Wienrich, Carolin}, booktitle = {Mensch und Computer 2022 - Tagungsband}, editor = {Pfleging, Bastian and Gerling, Kathrin and Mayer, Sven}, keywords = {coteach}, pages = {510-514}, publisher = {ACM}, title = {Usability and User Experience of Virtual Objects Supporting Learning and Communicating in Virtual Reality}, year = 2022 }
• Keppler, Sebastian, Nina Döllinger, Carolin Wienrich, Marc Erich Latoschik, and Johann Habakuk Israel. “Self-Touch: An Immersive Interaction-Technique to Enhance Body Awareness”. I-com 21, no. 3 (2022): 329-37. https://doi.org/doi:10.1515/icom-2022-0028.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Physical well-being depends essentially on how the own body is perceived. A missing correspondence between the perception of one’s own body and reality can be distressing and eventually lead to mental illness. The touch of the own body is a multi-sensory experience to strengthen the feeling of the own body. We have developed an interaction technique that allows the self-touch of the own body in an immersive environment to support therapy procedures. Through additional visual feedback, we want to strengthen the feeling for the own body to achieve a sustainable effect in the own body perception. We conducted an expert evaluation to analyse the potential impact of our application and to localize and fix possible usability problems. The experts noted the ease of understanding and suitability of the interaction technique for increasing body awareness. However, the technical challenges such as stable and accurate body tracking were also mentioned. In addition, new ideas were given that would further support body awareness.

  @article{KepplerDöllingerWienrichLatoschikIsrael+2022+329+337, abstract = {Physical well-being depends essentially on how the own body is perceived. A missing correspondence between the perception of one’s own body and reality can be distressing and eventually lead to mental illness. The touch of the own body is a multi-sensory experience to strengthen the feeling of the own body. We have developed an interaction technique that allows the self-touch of the own body in an immersive environment to support therapy procedures. Through additional visual feedback, we want to strengthen the feeling for the own body to achieve a sustainable effect in the own body perception. We conducted an expert evaluation to analyse the potential impact of our application and to localize and fix possible usability problems. The experts noted the ease of understanding and suitability of the interaction technique for increasing body awareness. However, the technical challenges such as stable and accurate body tracking were also mentioned. In addition, new ideas were given that would further support body awareness.}, author = {Keppler, Sebastian and Döllinger, Nina and Wienrich, Carolin and Latoschik, Marc Erich and Israel, Johann Habakuk}, journal = {i-com}, keywords = {vitras}, number = 3, pages = {329–337}, title = {Self-Touch: An Immersive Interaction-Technique to Enhance Body Awareness}, volume = 21, year = 2022 }
• Döllinger, Nina, Christopher Göttfert, Erik Wolf, David Mal, Marc Erich Latoschik, and Carolin Wienrich. “Analyzing Eye Tracking Data in Mirror Exposure”. In 2022 Conference on Mensch Und Computer, 513–517. https://doi.org/10.1145/3543758.3547567.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Mirror exposure is an important method in the treatment of body image disturbances. Eye tracking can support the unaffected assessment of attention biases during mirror exposure. However, the analysis of eye tracking data in mirror exposure comes with various difficulties and is associated with a high manual workload during data processing. We present an automated data processing framework that enables us to determine any body part as an area of interest without placing markers on the bodies of participants. A short, formative user study proved the quality compared to the gold standard. The automatic processing and openness for different systems allow a broad range of applications.

  @inproceedings{dollinger2022eyetracking, abstract = {Mirror exposure is an important method in the treatment of body image disturbances. Eye tracking can support the unaffected assessment of attention biases during mirror exposure. However, the analysis of eye tracking data in mirror exposure comes with various difficulties and is associated with a high manual workload during data processing. We present an automated data processing framework that enables us to determine any body part as an area of interest without placing markers on the bodies of participants. A short, formative user study proved the quality compared to the gold standard. The automatic processing and openness for different systems allow a broad range of applications.}, author = {Döllinger, Nina and Göttfert, Christopher and Wolf, Erik and Mal, David and Latoschik, Marc Erich and Wienrich, Carolin}, booktitle = {2022 Conference on Mensch und Computer}, keywords = {dmal}, pages = {513–517}, title = {Analyzing Eye Tracking Data in Mirror Exposure}, year = 2022 }
• Hein, Rebecca, Jeanine Steinbock, Maria Eisenmann, Carolin Wienrich, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “Virtual Reality Im Modernen Englischunterricht Und Das Potenzial für Inter- Und Transkulturelles Lernen”. MedienPädagogik Zeitschrift für Theorie Und Praxis Der Medienbildung 47 (2022): 246-66. https://doi.org/10.21240/mpaed/47/2022.04.12.X.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  @article{hein2021medienpaed, author = {Hein, Rebecca and Steinbock, Jeanine and Eisenmann, Maria and Wienrich, Carolin and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, journal = {MedienPädagogik Zeitschrift für Theorie und Praxis der Medienbildung}, keywords = {coteach}, pages = {246-266}, title = {Virtual Reality im modernen Englischunterricht und das Potenzial für Inter- und Transkulturelles Lernen}, volume = 47, year = 2022 }
• Hein, Rebecca M., Marc Erich Latoschik, and Carolin Wienrich. “Inter- and Transcultural Learning in Social Virtual Reality: A Proposal for an Inter- and Transcultural Virtual Object Database to Be Used in the Implementation, Reflection, and Evaluation of Virtual Encounters”. Edited by Fotis Liarokapis} {Mark Billinghurst and Mu-Chun Su. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction 6, no. 7 (2022): 50. https://doi.org/10.3390/mti6070050.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Visual stimuli are frequently used to improve memory, language learning or perception, and understanding of metacognitive processes. However, in virtual reality (VR), there are few systematically and empirically derived databases. This paper proposes the first collection of virtual objects based on empirical evaluation for inter-and transcultural encounters between English- and German-speaking learners. We used explicit and implicit measurement methods to identify cultural associations and the degree of stereotypical perception for each virtual stimuli (n = 293) through two online studies, including native German and English-speaking participants. The analysis resulted in a final well-describable database of 128 objects (called InteractionSuitcase). In future applications, the objects can be used as a great interaction or conversation asset and behavioral measurement tool in social VR applications, especially in the field of foreign language education. For example, encounters can use the objects to describe their culture, or teachers can intuitively assess stereotyped attitudes of the encounters.

  @article{mti6070050, abstract = {Visual stimuli are frequently used to improve memory, language learning or perception, and understanding of metacognitive processes. However, in virtual reality (VR), there are few systematically and empirically derived databases. This paper proposes the first collection of virtual objects based on empirical evaluation for inter-and transcultural encounters between English- and German-speaking learners. We used explicit and implicit measurement methods to identify cultural associations and the degree of stereotypical perception for each virtual stimuli (n = 293) through two online studies, including native German and English-speaking participants. The analysis resulted in a final well-describable database of 128 objects (called InteractionSuitcase). In future applications, the objects can be used as a great interaction or conversation asset and behavioral measurement tool in social VR applications, especially in the field of foreign language education. For example, encounters can use the objects to describe their culture, or teachers can intuitively assess stereotyped attitudes of the encounters.}, author = {Hein, Rebecca M. and Latoschik, Marc Erich and Wienrich, Carolin}, editor = {{Mark Billinghurst, Fotis Liarokapis}, Lars Erik Holmquist and Su, Mu-Chun}, journal = {Multimodal Technologies and Interaction}, keywords = {coteach}, number = 7, pages = 50, title = {Inter- and Transcultural Learning in Social Virtual Reality: A Proposal for an Inter- and Transcultural Virtual Object Database to be Used in the Implementation, Reflection, and Evaluation of Virtual Encounters}, volume = 6, year = 2022 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, Astrid Carolus, André Markus, and Yannik Augustin. AI Literacy: Kompetenzdimensionen und Einflussfaktoren im Kontext von Arbeit, Pub. L. No. 1, 1 (2022).
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @standard{wienrich2022literacy, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Carolus, Astrid and Markus, André and Augustin, Yannik}, howpublished = {Working Paper}, institution = {KI-Observatorium des Bundesministeriums für Arbeit und Soziales}, keywords = {AI_Literacy}, number = 1, pages = {1-24}, title = {AI Literacy: Kompetenzdimensionen und Einflussfaktoren im Kontext von Arbeit}, type = {Publication}, volume = 1, year = 2022 }
• Döllinger, Nina, Erik Wolf, David Mal, Stephan Wenninger, Mario Botsch, Marc Erich Latoschik, and Carolin Wienrich. “Resize Me! Exploring the User Experience of Embodied Realistic Modulatable Avatars for Body Image Intervention in Virtual Reality”. Frontiers in Virtual Reality 3 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2022.935449.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Obesity is a serious disease that can affect both physical and psychological well-being. Due to weight stigmatization, many affected individuals suffer from body image disturbances whereby they perceive their body in a distorted way, evaluate it negatively, or neglect it. Beyond established interventions such as mirror exposure, recent advancements aim to complement body image treatments by the embodiment of visually altered virtual bodies in virtual reality (VR). We present a high-fidelity prototype of an advanced VR system that allows users to embody a rapidly generated personalized, photorealistic avatar and to realistically modulate its body weight in real-time within a carefully designed virtual environment. In a formative multi-method approach, a total of 12 participants rated the general user experience (UX) of our system during body scan and VR experience using semi-structured qualitative interviews and multiple quantitative UX measures. Using body weight modification tasks, we further compared three different interaction methods for real-time body weight modification and measured our system’s impact on the body image relevant measures body awareness and body weight perception. From the feedback received, demonstrating an already solid UX of our overall system and providing constructive input for further improvement, we derived a set of design guidelines to guide future development and evaluation processes of systems supporting body image interventions.

  @article{dollinger2022resizeme, abstract = {Obesity is a serious disease that can affect both physical and psychological well-being. Due to weight stigmatization, many affected individuals suffer from body image disturbances whereby they perceive their body in a distorted way, evaluate it negatively, or neglect it. Beyond established interventions such as mirror exposure, recent advancements aim to complement body image treatments by the embodiment of visually altered virtual bodies in virtual reality (VR). We present a high-fidelity prototype of an advanced VR system that allows users to embody a rapidly generated personalized, photorealistic avatar and to realistically modulate its body weight in real-time within a carefully designed virtual environment. In a formative multi-method approach, a total of 12 participants rated the general user experience (UX) of our system during body scan and VR experience using semi-structured qualitative interviews and multiple quantitative UX measures. Using body weight modification tasks, we further compared three different interaction methods for real-time body weight modification and measured our system’s impact on the body image relevant measures body awareness and body weight perception. From the feedback received, demonstrating an already solid UX of our overall system and providing constructive input for further improvement, we derived a set of design guidelines to guide future development and evaluation processes of systems supporting body image interventions.}, author = {Döllinger, Nina and Wolf, Erik and Mal, David and Wenninger, Stephan and Botsch, Mario and Latoschik, Marc Erich and Wienrich, Carolin}, journal = {Frontiers in Virtual Reality}, keywords = {dmal}, title = {Resize Me! Exploring the User Experience of Embodied Realistic Modulatable Avatars for Body Image Intervention in Virtual Reality}, volume = 3, year = 2022 }
• Mal, David, Erik Wolf, Nina Döllinger, Mario Botsch, Carolin Wienrich, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “Virtual Human Coherence and Plausibility – Towards a Validated Scale”. In 2022 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW), 788-89. https://doi.org/10.1109/VRW55335.2022.00245.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Virtual humans contribute to users’ state of plausibility in various XR applications. We present the development and preliminary evaluation of a self-assessment questionnaire to quantify virtual human’s plausibility in virtual environments based on eleven concise items. A principal component analysis of 650 appraisals collected in an online survey revealed two highly reliable components within the items. We interpret the components as possible factors, i.e., appearance and behavior plausibility and match to the virtual environment, and propose future work aiming towards a standardized virtual human plausibility scale by validating the structure and sensitivity of both sub-components in XR environments.

  @inproceedings{mal2022virtual, abstract = {Virtual humans contribute to users’ state of plausibility in various XR applications. We present the development and preliminary evaluation of a self-assessment questionnaire to quantify virtual human’s plausibility in virtual environments based on eleven concise items. A principal component analysis of 650 appraisals collected in an online survey revealed two highly reliable components within the items. We interpret the components as possible factors, i.e., appearance and behavior plausibility and match to the virtual environment, and propose future work aiming towards a standardized virtual human plausibility scale by validating the structure and sensitivity of both sub-components in XR environments.}, author = {Mal, David and Wolf, Erik and Döllinger, Nina and Botsch, Mario and Wienrich, Carolin and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, booktitle = {2022 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW)}, keywords = {dmal}, pages = {788-789}, title = {Virtual Human Coherence and Plausibility – Towards a Validated Scale}, year = 2022 }
• Latoschik, Marc Erich, and Carolin Wienrich. “Congruence and Plausibility, Not Presence?! Pivotal Conditions for XR Experiences and Effects, a Novel Model”. Frontiers in Virtual Reality 3:694433 (June 2022). https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2022.694433.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Presence is often considered the most important quale describing the subjective feeling of being in a computer-generated and/or computer-mediated virtual environment. The identification and separation of orthogonal presence components, i.e., the place illusion and the plausibility illusion, has been an accepted theoretical model describing Virtual Reality (VR) experiences for some time. This perspective article challenges this presence-oriented VR theory. First, we argue that a place illusion cannot be the major construct to describe the much wider scope of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (VR, AR, MR: or XR for short). Second, we argue that there is no plausibility illusion but merely plausibility, and we derive the place illusion caused by the congruent and plausible generation of spatial cues and similarly for all the current model’s so-defined illusions. Finally, we propose congruence and plausibility to become the central essential conditions in a novel theoretical model describing XR experiences and effects.

  @article{latoschik2021coherence, abstract = {Presence is often considered the most important quale describing the subjective feeling of being in a computer-generated and/or computer-mediated virtual environment. The identification and separation of orthogonal presence components, i.e., the place illusion and the plausibility illusion, has been an accepted theoretical model describing Virtual Reality (VR) experiences for some time. This perspective article challenges this presence-oriented VR theory. First, we argue that a place illusion cannot be the major construct to describe the much wider scope of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (VR, AR, MR: or XR for short). Second, we argue that there is no plausibility illusion but merely plausibility, and we derive the place illusion caused by the congruent and plausible generation of spatial cues and similarly for all the current model’s so-defined illusions. Finally, we propose congruence and plausibility to become the central essential conditions in a novel theoretical model describing XR experiences and effects.}, author = {Latoschik, Marc Erich and Wienrich, Carolin}, journal = {Frontiers in Virtual Reality}, keywords = {c.wienrich}, month = {06}, title = {Congruence and Plausibility, not Presence?! Pivotal Conditions for XR Experiences and Effects, a Novel Model}, volume = {3:694433}, year = 2022 }
• Obremski, David, Paula Friedrich, Nora Haak, Philipp Schaper, and Birgit Lugrin. “The Impact of Mixed-Cultural Speech on the Stereotypical Perception of a Virtual Robot”. Frontiers in Robotics and AI 9 (November 2022). https://doi.org/10.3389/frobt.2022.983955.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  @article{Obremski_2022, author = {Obremski, David and Friedrich, Paula and Haak, Nora and Schaper, Philipp and Lugrin, Birgit}, journal = {Frontiers in Robotics and AI}, keywords = {accent}, month = 11, publisher = {Frontiers Media SA}, title = {The impact of mixed-cultural speech on the stereotypical perception of a virtual robot}, volume = 9, year = 2022 }
• Carolus, Astrid, Yannik Augustin, André Markus, and Carolin Wienrich. “Digital Interaction Literacy Model. Conceptualizing Competencies for Literate Interactions With Voice-Based AI Systems”. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, December 2022, 100114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2022.100114.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ DOI ]
  @article{Carolus_2022, author = {Carolus, Astrid and Augustin, Yannik and Markus, André and Wienrich, Carolin}, journal = {Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence}, keywords = {yaugustin}, month = 12, pages = 100114, publisher = {Elsevier BV}, title = {Digital interaction literacy model. Conceptualizing competencies for literate interactions with voice-based AI systems}, year = 2022 }

• Hein, Rebecca Magdalena, Carolin Wienrich, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “A Systematic Review of Foreign Language Learning With Immersive Technologies (2001-2020)”. AIMS Electronics and Electrical Engineering 5, no. 2 (2021): 117-45. https://doi.org/10.3934/electreng.2021007.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  This study provides a systematic literature review of research (2001–2020) in the field of teaching and learning a foreign language and intercultural learning using immersive technologies. Based on 2507 sources, 54 articles were selected according to a predefined selection criteria. The review is aimed at providing information about which immersive interventions are being used for foreign language learning and teaching and where potential research gaps exist. The papers were analyzed and coded according to the following categories: (1) investigation form and education level, (2) degree of immersion, and technology used, (3) predictors, and (4) criterions. The review identified key research findings relating the use of immersive technologies for learning and teaching a foreign language and intercultural learning at cognitive, affective, and conative levels. The findings revealed research gaps in the area of teachers as a target group, and virtual reality (VR) as a fully immersive intervention form. Furthermore, the studies reviewed rarely examined behavior, and implicit measurements related to inter- and trans-cultural learning and teaching. Inter- and transcultural learning and teaching especially is an underrepresented investigation subject. Finally, concrete suggestions for future research are given. The systematic review contributes to the challenge of interdisciplinary cooperation between pedagogy, foreign language didactics, and Human-Computer Interaction to achieve innovative teaching-learning formats and a successful digital transformation.

  @article{noauthororeditor, abstract = {This study provides a systematic literature review of research (2001–2020) in the field of teaching and learning a foreign language and intercultural learning using immersive technologies. Based on 2507 sources, 54 articles were selected according to a predefined selection criteria. The review is aimed at providing information about which immersive interventions are being used for foreign language learning and teaching and where potential research gaps exist. The papers were analyzed and coded according to the following categories: (1) investigation form and education level, (2) degree of immersion, and technology used, (3) predictors, and (4) criterions. The review identified key research findings relating the use of immersive technologies for learning and teaching a foreign language and intercultural learning at cognitive, affective, and conative levels. The findings revealed research gaps in the area of teachers as a target group, and virtual reality (VR) as a fully immersive intervention form. Furthermore, the studies reviewed rarely examined behavior, and implicit measurements related to inter- and trans-cultural learning and teaching. Inter- and transcultural learning and teaching especially is an underrepresented investigation subject. Finally, concrete suggestions for future research are given. The systematic review contributes to the challenge of interdisciplinary cooperation between pedagogy, foreign language didactics, and Human-Computer Interaction to achieve innovative teaching-learning formats and a successful digital transformation.}, author = {Hein, Rebecca Magdalena and Wienrich, Carolin and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, journal = {AIMS Electronics and Electrical Engineering}, keywords = {coteach}, number = 2, pages = {117-145}, title = {A Systematic Review of Foreign Language Learning with Immersive Technologies (2001-2020)}, volume = 5, year = 2021 }
• Hein, Rebecca, Jeanine Steinbock, Maria Eisenmann, Marc Erich Latoschik, and Carolin Wienrich. “Development of the InteractionSuitcase in Virtual Reality to Support Inter- and Transcultural Learning Processes in English As Foreign Language Education”. In DELFI 2021, edited by Andrea Kienle, Andreas Harrer, Joerg M. Haake, and Andreas Lingnau, 91-96. Bonn: Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V, 2021. https://dl.gi.de/bitstream/handle/20.500.12116/36994/DELFI_2021_91-96.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  Immersion programs and the experiences they offer learners are irreplaceable. In times of Covid-19, social VR applications can offer enormous potential for the acquisition of inter- and transcultural competencies (ITC). Virtual objects (VO) could initiate communication and reflection processes between learners with different cultural backgrounds and therefore offer an exciting approach. Accordingly, we address the following research questions: (1) What is a sound way to collect objects for the InteractionSuitcase to promote ITC acquisition by means of Social VR? (2) For which aspects do students use the objects when developing an ITC learning scenario? (3) Which VO are considered particularly supportive to initiate and facilitate ITC learning? To answer these research questions, the virtual InteractionSuitcase will be designed and implemented. This paper presents the empirical preliminary work and interim results of the development and evaluation of the InteractionSuitcase, its usage, and the significance of this project for Human- Computer Interaction (HCI) and English as Foreign Language (EFL) research.

  @inproceedings{hein2021development, abstract = {Immersion programs and the experiences they offer learners are irreplaceable. In times of Covid-19, social VR applications can offer enormous potential for the acquisition of inter- and transcultural competencies (ITC). Virtual objects (VO) could initiate communication and reflection processes between learners with different cultural backgrounds and therefore offer an exciting approach. Accordingly, we address the following research questions: (1) What is a sound way to collect objects for the InteractionSuitcase to promote ITC acquisition by means of Social VR? (2) For which aspects do students use the objects when developing an ITC learning scenario? (3) Which VO are considered particularly supportive to initiate and facilitate ITC learning? To answer these research questions, the virtual InteractionSuitcase will be designed and implemented. This paper presents the empirical preliminary work and interim results of the development and evaluation of the InteractionSuitcase, its usage, and the significance of this project for Human- Computer Interaction (HCI) and English as Foreign Language (EFL) research.}, address = {Bonn}, author = {Hein, Rebecca and Steinbock, Jeanine and Eisenmann, Maria and Latoschik, Marc Erich and Wienrich, Carolin}, booktitle = {DELFI 2021}, editor = {Kienle, Andrea and Harrer, Andreas and Haake, Joerg M. and Lingnau, Andreas}, keywords = {coteach}, pages = {91-96}, publisher = {Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V.}, title = {Development of the InteractionSuitcase in virtual reality to support inter- and transcultural learning processes in English as Foreign Language education}, year = 2021 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, Nina Ines D{\"o}llinger, and Rebecca Hein. “Behavioral Framework of Immersive Technologies (BehaveFIT): How and Why Virtual Reality Can Support Behavioral Change Processes”. Frontiers Virtual Reality 2 (2021): 84. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2021.627194.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  The design and evaluation of assisting technologies to support behavior change processes have become an essential topic within the field of human-computer interaction research in general and the field of immersive intervention technologies in particular. The mechanisms and success of behavior change techniques and interventions are broadly investigated in the field of psychology. However, it is not always easy to adapt these psychological findings to the context of immersive technologies. The lack of theoretical foundation also leads to a lack of explanation as to why and how immersive interventions support behavior change processes. The Behavioral Framework for immersive Technologies (BehaveFIT) addresses this lack by 1) presenting an intelligible categorization and condensation of psychological barriers and immersive features, by 2) suggesting a mapping that shows why and how immersive technologies can help to overcome barriers and finally by 3) proposing a generic prediction path that enables a structured, theory-based approach to the development and evaluation of immersive interventions. These three steps explain how BehaveFIT can be used, and include guiding questions for each step. Further, two use cases illustrate the usage of BehaveFIT. Thus, the present paper contributes to guidance for immersive intervention design and evaluation, showing that immersive interventions support behavior change processes and explain and predict 'why' and 'how' immersive interventions can bridge the intention-behavior-gap.

  @article{wienrich2020mind, abstract = {The design and evaluation of assisting technologies to support behavior change processes have become an essential topic within the field of human-computer interaction research in general and the field of immersive intervention technologies in particular. The mechanisms and success of behavior change techniques and interventions are broadly investigated in the field of psychology. However, it is not always easy to adapt these psychological findings to the context of immersive technologies. The lack of theoretical foundation also leads to a lack of explanation as to why and how immersive interventions support behavior change processes. The Behavioral Framework for immersive Technologies (BehaveFIT) addresses this lack by 1) presenting an intelligible categorization and condensation of psychological barriers and immersive features, by 2) suggesting a mapping that shows why and how immersive technologies can help to overcome barriers and finally by 3) proposing a generic prediction path that enables a structured, theory-based approach to the development and evaluation of immersive interventions. These three steps explain how BehaveFIT can be used, and include guiding questions for each step. Further, two use cases illustrate the usage of BehaveFIT. Thus, the present paper contributes to guidance for immersive intervention design and evaluation, showing that immersive interventions support behavior change processes and explain and predict 'why' and 'how' immersive interventions can bridge the intention-behavior-gap.}, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and D{\"o}llinger, Nina Ines and Hein, Rebecca}, journal = {Frontiers Virtual Reality}, keywords = {rebecca.hein}, pages = 84, title = {Behavioral Framework of Immersive Technologies (BehaveFIT): How and Why Virtual Reality can Support Behavioral Change Processes}, volume = 2, year = 2021 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “EXtended Artificial Intelligence: New Prospects of Human-AI Interaction Research”. Frontiers in Virtual Reality 2 (2021): 94. https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2021.686783.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Artificial Intelligence (AI) covers a broad spectrum of computational problems and use cases. Many of those implicate profound and sometimes intricate questions of how humans interact or should interact with AIs. Moreover, many users or future users do have abstract ideas of what AI is, significantly depending on the specific embodiment of AI applications. Human-centered-design approaches would suggest evaluating the impact of different embodiments on human perception of and interaction with AI. An approach that is difficult to realize due to the sheer complexity of application fields and embodiments in reality. However, here XR opens new possibilities to research human-AI interactions. The article's contribution is twofold: First, it provides a theoretical treatment and model of human-AI interaction based on an XR-AI continuum as a framework for and a perspective of different approaches of XR-AI combinations. It motivates XR-AI combinations as a method to learn about the effects of prospective human-AI interfaces and shows why the combination of XR and AI fruitfully contributes to a valid and systematic investigation of human-AI interactions and interfaces. Second, the article provides two exemplary experiments investigating the aforementioned approach for two distinct AI-systems. The first experiment reveals an interesting gender effect in human-robot interaction, while the second experiment reveals an Eliza effect of a recommender system. Here the article introduces two paradigmatic implementations of the proposed XR testbed for human-AI interactions and interfaces and shows how a valid and systematic investigation can be conducted. In sum, the article opens new perspectives on how XR benefits human-centered AI design and development.

  @article{wienrich2021extended, abstract = {Artificial Intelligence (AI) covers a broad spectrum of computational problems and use cases. Many of those implicate profound and sometimes intricate questions of how humans interact or should interact with AIs. Moreover, many users or future users do have abstract ideas of what AI is, significantly depending on the specific embodiment of AI applications. Human-centered-design approaches would suggest evaluating the impact of different embodiments on human perception of and interaction with AI. An approach that is difficult to realize due to the sheer complexity of application fields and embodiments in reality. However, here XR opens new possibilities to research human-AI interactions. The article's contribution is twofold: First, it provides a theoretical treatment and model of human-AI interaction based on an XR-AI continuum as a framework for and a perspective of different approaches of XR-AI combinations. It motivates XR-AI combinations as a method to learn about the effects of prospective human-AI interfaces and shows why the combination of XR and AI fruitfully contributes to a valid and systematic investigation of human-AI interactions and interfaces. Second, the article provides two exemplary experiments investigating the aforementioned approach for two distinct AI-systems. The first experiment reveals an interesting gender effect in human-robot interaction, while the second experiment reveals an Eliza effect of a recommender system. Here the article introduces two paradigmatic implementations of the proposed XR testbed for human-AI interactions and interfaces and shows how a valid and systematic investigation can be conducted. In sum, the article opens new perspectives on how XR benefits human-centered AI design and development.}, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, journal = {Frontiers in Virtual Reality}, keywords = {aiatwork}, pages = 94, title = {eXtended Artificial Intelligence: New Prospects of Human-AI Interaction Research}, volume = 2, year = 2021 }
• Hein, Rebecca M, Jeanine Steinbock, Maria Eisenmann, Carolin Wienrich, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “Inter- Und Transkulturelles Lernen in Virtual Reality - Ein Seminarkonzept für Die Lehrkräfteausbildung Im Fach Englisch”. In: Söbke, H. & Weise, M. (Hrsg.), Wettbewerbsband AVRiL 2021, 2021, 34-39. https://doi.org/10.18420/avril2021_05.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Inter- und transkulturelle Kompetenzen sind zentrale Elemente einer aktiven Teilhabe in einer modernen Gesellschaft. Die Fremdsprachenforschung setzt sich im Kontext der Digitalisierung mit neuen Konzepten zum Erwerb dieser Kompetenzen im Fremdsprachenunterricht auseinander. Eine Zusammenarbeit mit der HCI-Forschung zum Einsatz von social VR im Klassenzimmer lässt auf einen positiven Erkenntnisgewinn schließen. So lautet die zentrale Forschungshypothese, dass vollimmersive Lernumgebungen verstärkt inter- und transkulturelle Lernprozesse fördern, weil Lernende VR-Welten nicht nur betrachten, sondern innerhalb dieser selbstwirksam interagieren und das Umfeld eigenständig manipulieren können. Darauf aufbauend wurde ein Seminarkonzept entwickelt, in dem Lehramtsstudierende für das Fach Englisch inter- und transkulturelle Lehr/Lernszenarien in VR konzipieren, die sie dann in ihrer Unterrichtspraxis einsetzen können. So lernen Studierende das Potenzial von VR nicht nur kennen, sondern ebenso dieses unterrichtlich umzusetzen.

  @article{hein2021inter, abstract = {Inter- und transkulturelle Kompetenzen sind zentrale Elemente einer aktiven Teilhabe in einer modernen Gesellschaft. Die Fremdsprachenforschung setzt sich im Kontext der Digitalisierung mit neuen Konzepten zum Erwerb dieser Kompetenzen im Fremdsprachenunterricht auseinander. Eine Zusammenarbeit mit der HCI-Forschung zum Einsatz von social VR im Klassenzimmer lässt auf einen positiven Erkenntnisgewinn schließen. So lautet die zentrale Forschungshypothese, dass vollimmersive Lernumgebungen verstärkt inter- und transkulturelle Lernprozesse fördern, weil Lernende VR-Welten nicht nur betrachten, sondern innerhalb dieser selbstwirksam interagieren und das Umfeld eigenständig manipulieren können. Darauf aufbauend wurde ein Seminarkonzept entwickelt, in dem Lehramtsstudierende für das Fach Englisch inter- und transkulturelle Lehr/Lernszenarien in VR konzipieren, die sie dann in ihrer Unterrichtspraxis einsetzen können. So lernen Studierende das Potenzial von VR nicht nur kennen, sondern ebenso dieses unterrichtlich umzusetzen.}, author = {Hein, Rebecca M and Steinbock, Jeanine and Eisenmann, Maria and Wienrich, Carolin and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, journal = {In: Söbke, H. & Weise, M. (Hrsg.), Wettbewerbsband AVRiL 2021}, keywords = {c.wienrich}, pages = {34-39}, title = {Inter- und Transkulturelles Lernen in Virtual Reality - Ein Seminarkonzept für die Lehrkräfteausbildung im Fach Englisch}, year = 2021 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, Astrid Carolus, Yannik Augustin, and André Markus. “AI Literacy: Kompetenzdimensionen Und Einflussfaktoren Im Kontext Von Arbeit.”.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @preprint{wienrich2021literacy, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Carolus, Astrid and Augustin, Yannik and Markus, André}, institution = {KI-Observatorium des Bundesministeriums für Arbeit und Soziales}, keywords = {a.carolus}, title = {AI Literacy: Kompetenzdimensionen und Einflussfaktoren im Kontext von Arbeit.}, type = {Publication}, year = 2021 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, Philipp Komma, Stephanie Vogt, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “Spatial Presence in Mixed Realities--Considerations about the Concept, Measures, Design, and Experiments”. Edited by Richard Skarbez. Frontiers in Virtual Reality 2 (2021): 141. https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2021.694315.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Plenty of theories, models, measures, and investigations target the understanding of virtual presence, i.e., the sense of presence in immersive Virtual Reality (VR). Other varieties of the so-called eXtended Realities (XR), e.g., Augmented and Mixed Reality (AR and MR) incorporate immersive features to a lesser degree and continuously combine spatial cues from the real physical space and the simulated virtual space. This blurred separation questions the applicability of the accumulated knowledge about the similarities of virtual presence and presence occurring in other varieties of XR, and corresponding outcomes. The present work bridges this gap by analyzing the construct of presence in mixed realities (MR). To achieve this, the following presents (1) a short review of definitions, dimensions, and measurements of presence in VR, and (2) the state of the art views on MR. Additionally, we (3) derived a working definition of MR, extending the Milgram continuum. This definition is based on entities reaching from real to virtual manifestations at one time point. Entities possess different degrees of referential power, determining the selection of the frame of reference. Furthermore, we (4) identified three research desiderata, including research questions about the frame of reference, the corresponding dimension of transportation, and the dimension of realism in MR. Mainly the relationship between the main aspects of virtual presence of immersive VR, i.e., the place-illusion, and the plausibility-illusion, and of the referential power of MR entities are discussed regarding the concept, measures, and design of presence in MR. Finally, (5) we suggested an experimental setup to reveal the research heuristic behind experiments investigating presence in MR. The present work contributes to the theories and the meaning of and approaches to simulate and measure presence in MR. We hypothesize that research about essential underlying factors determining user experience (UX) in MR simulations and experiences is still in its infancy and hopes this article provides an encouraging starting point to tackle related questions.

  @article{wienrichspatial, abstract = {Plenty of theories, models, measures, and investigations target the understanding of virtual presence, i.e., the sense of presence in immersive Virtual Reality (VR). Other varieties of the so-called eXtended Realities (XR), e.g., Augmented and Mixed Reality (AR and MR) incorporate immersive features to a lesser degree and continuously combine spatial cues from the real physical space and the simulated virtual space. This blurred separation questions the applicability of the accumulated knowledge about the similarities of virtual presence and presence occurring in other varieties of XR, and corresponding outcomes. The present work bridges this gap by analyzing the construct of presence in mixed realities (MR). To achieve this, the following presents (1) a short review of definitions, dimensions, and measurements of presence in VR, and (2) the state of the art views on MR. Additionally, we (3) derived a working definition of MR, extending the Milgram continuum. This definition is based on entities reaching from real to virtual manifestations at one time point. Entities possess different degrees of referential power, determining the selection of the frame of reference. Furthermore, we (4) identified three research desiderata, including research questions about the frame of reference, the corresponding dimension of transportation, and the dimension of realism in MR. Mainly the relationship between the main aspects of virtual presence of immersive VR, i.e., the place-illusion, and the plausibility-illusion, and of the referential power of MR entities are discussed regarding the concept, measures, and design of presence in MR. Finally, (5) we suggested an experimental setup to reveal the research heuristic behind experiments investigating presence in MR. The present work contributes to the theories and the meaning of and approaches to simulate and measure presence in MR. We hypothesize that research about essential underlying factors determining user experience (UX) in MR simulations and experiences is still in its infancy and hopes this article provides an encouraging starting point to tackle related questions.}, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Komma, Philipp and Vogt, Stephanie and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, editor = {Skarbez, Richard}, journal = {Frontiers in Virtual Reality}, keywords = {c.wienrich}, pages = 141, publisher = {Frontiers}, title = {Spatial Presence in Mixed Realities–Considerations about the Concept, Measures, Design, and Experiments}, volume = 2, year = 2021 }
• Döllinger, Nina, Carolin Wienrich, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “Challenges and Opportunities of Immersive Technologies for Mindfulness Meditation: A Systematic Review”. Frontiers in Virtual Reality 2 (2021): 29. https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2021.644683.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Mindfulness is considered an important factor of an individual's subjective well-being. Consequently, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) has investigated approaches that strengthen mindfulness, i.e., by inventing multimedia technologies to support mindfulness meditation. These approaches often use smartphones, tablets, or consumer-grade desktop systems to allow everyday usage in users' private lives or in the scope of organized therapies. Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality (VR, AR, MR; in short: XR) significantly extend the design space for such approaches. XR covers a wide range of potential sensory stimulation, perceptive and cognitive manipulations, content presentation, interaction, and agency. These facilities are linked to typical XR-specific perceptions that are conceptually closely related to mindfulness research, such as (virtual) presence and (virtual) embodiment. However, a successful exploitation of XR that strengthens mindfulness requires a systematic analysis of the potential interrelation and influencing mechanisms between XR technology, its properties, factors, and phenomena and existing models and theories of the construct of mindfulness. This article reports such a systematic analysis of XR-related research from HCI and life sciences to determine the extent to which existing research frameworks on HCI and mindfulness can be applied to XR technologies, the potential of XR technologies to support mindfulness, and open research gaps. Fifty papers of ACM Digital Library and National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine (PubMed) with and without empirical efficacy evaluation were included in our analysis. The results reveal that at the current time, empirical research on XR-based mindfulness support mainly focuses on therapy and therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, most of the currently investigated XR-supported mindfulness interactions are limited to vocally guided meditations within nature-inspired virtual environments. While an analysis of empirical research on those systems did not reveal differences in mindfulness compared to non-mediated mindfulness practices, various design proposals illustrate that XR has the potential to provide interactive and body-based innovations for mindfulness practice. We propose a structured approach for future work to specify and further explore the potential of XR as mindfulness-support. The resulting framework provides design guidelines for XR-based mindfulness support based on the elements and psychological mechanisms of XR interactions.

  @article{10.3389/frvir.2021.644683, abstract = {Mindfulness is considered an important factor of an individual's subjective well-being. Consequently, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) has investigated approaches that strengthen mindfulness, i.e., by inventing multimedia technologies to support mindfulness meditation. These approaches often use smartphones, tablets, or consumer-grade desktop systems to allow everyday usage in users' private lives or in the scope of organized therapies. Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality (VR, AR, MR; in short: XR) significantly extend the design space for such approaches. XR covers a wide range of potential sensory stimulation, perceptive and cognitive manipulations, content presentation, interaction, and agency. These facilities are linked to typical XR-specific perceptions that are conceptually closely related to mindfulness research, such as (virtual) presence and (virtual) embodiment. However, a successful exploitation of XR that strengthens mindfulness requires a systematic analysis of the potential interrelation and influencing mechanisms between XR technology, its properties, factors, and phenomena and existing models and theories of the construct of mindfulness. This article reports such a systematic analysis of XR-related research from HCI and life sciences to determine the extent to which existing research frameworks on HCI and mindfulness can be applied to XR technologies, the potential of XR technologies to support mindfulness, and open research gaps. Fifty papers of ACM Digital Library and National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine (PubMed) with and without empirical efficacy evaluation were included in our analysis. The results reveal that at the current time, empirical research on XR-based mindfulness support mainly focuses on therapy and therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, most of the currently investigated XR-supported mindfulness interactions are limited to vocally guided meditations within nature-inspired virtual environments. While an analysis of empirical research on those systems did not reveal differences in mindfulness compared to non-mediated mindfulness practices, various design proposals illustrate that XR has the potential to provide interactive and body-based innovations for mindfulness practice. We propose a structured approach for future work to specify and further explore the potential of XR as mindfulness-support. The resulting framework provides design guidelines for XR-based mindfulness support based on the elements and psychological mechanisms of XR interactions.}, author = {Döllinger, Nina and Wienrich, Carolin and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, journal = {Frontiers in Virtual Reality}, keywords = {vitras}, pages = 29, title = {Challenges and Opportunities of Immersive Technologies for Mindfulness Meditation: A Systematic Review}, volume = 2, year = 2021 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, Clemens Reitelbach, and Astrid Carolus. “The Trustworthiness of Voice Assistants in the Context of Healthcare Investigating the Effect of Perceived Expertise on the Trustworthiness of Voice Assistants, Providers, Data Receivers, and Automatic Speech Recognition”. Frontiers in Computer Science. Human-Media Interaction. Special Issue: Towards Omnipresent and Smart Speech Assistants 3 (June 2021). https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomp.2021.685250.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  @article{Wienrich_2021, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Reitelbach, Clemens and Carolus, Astrid}, journal = {Frontiers in Computer Science. Human-Media Interaction. Special Issue: Towards Omnipresent and Smart Speech Assistants}, keywords = {AI_work}, month = {06}, publisher = {Frontiers Media {SA}}, title = {The Trustworthiness of Voice Assistants in the Context of Healthcare Investigating the Effect of Perceived Expertise on the Trustworthiness of Voice Assistants, Providers, Data Receivers, and Automatic Speech Recognition}, volume = 3, year = 2021 }
• Foerster, Kristina, Rebecca Hein, Silke Grafe, Marc Erich Latoschik, and Carolin Wienrich. “Fostering Intercultural Competencies in Initial Teacher Education. Implementation of Educational Design Prototypes Using a Social VR Environment”. In Proceedings of Innovate Learning Summit 2020 2021, edited by Theo Bastiaens, 73-86. Online, United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), 2021. https://www.learntechlib.org/pv/220276/.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  The combination of globalization and digitalization emphasizes the importance of media-related and intercultural competencies of teacher educators and pre-service teachers. This article reports on the initial prototypical implementation of a pedagogical concept to foster such competencies of pre-service teachers. The proposed pedagogical concept utilizes a social VR framework since related work on the characteristics of VR indicate that this medium is particularly well suited for intercultural professional development processes. The development is integrated into a larger design-based-research approach that develops a theory-guided and empirically grounded professional development concept for teacher educators with a special focus on TETC 8. TETC provide a suitable competence framework capable of aligning both requirements for media-related as well as intercultural competencies. In an exploratory study with student teachers we designed...

  @inproceedings{FoerHeinGraf2021ys, abstract = {The combination of globalization and digitalization emphasizes the importance of media-related and intercultural competencies of teacher educators and pre-service teachers. This article reports on the initial prototypical implementation of a pedagogical concept to foster such competencies of pre-service teachers. The proposed pedagogical concept utilizes a social VR framework since related work on the characteristics of VR indicate that this medium is particularly well suited for intercultural professional development processes. The development is integrated into a larger design-based-research approach that develops a theory-guided and empirically grounded professional development concept for teacher educators with a special focus on TETC 8. TETC provide a suitable competence framework capable of aligning both requirements for media-related as well as intercultural competencies. In an exploratory study with student teachers we designed...}, address = {Online, United States}, author = {Foerster, Kristina and Hein, Rebecca and Grafe, Silke and Latoschik, Marc Erich and Wienrich, Carolin}, booktitle = {Proceedings of Innovate Learning Summit 2020 2021}, editor = {Bastiaens, Theo}, keywords = {coteach}, month = 11, pages = {73–86}, publisher = {Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)}, title = {Fostering Intercultural Competencies in Initial Teacher Education. Implementation of Educational Design Prototypes using a Social VR Environment}, year = 2021 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, and Astrid Carolus. “Development of an Instrument to Measure Conceptualizations and Competencies About Conversational Agents on the Example of Smart Speakers”. Frontiers in Computer Science. Human-Media Interaction. Special Issue: Towards Omnipresent and Smart Speech Assistants, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomp.2021.685277.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ DOI ]
  The concept of digital literacy has been introduced as a new cultural technique, which is regarded as essential for successful participation in a (future) digitized world. Regarding the increasing importance of AI, literacy concepts need to be extended to account for AI-related specifics. Particularly, when considering that AI systems, such as (voice-based) conversational agents, are characterized by low user requirements and omnipresence. The easy handling of the systems results in increased usage, contrasting limited knowledge, fundamental misconceptions, false expectations, or misuse conceptualizations (e.g., imagination of future importance) and competencies (e.g., knowledge about functional principles). In reference to voice-based conversational agents as a concrete application of AI, the present paper aims for the development of a measurement to assess the conceptualizations and competencies about conversational agents. In a first step, a theoretical framework of "AI literacy" is transferred to the context of conversational agent literacy. Second, the "conversational agent literacy scale" (short CALS) is developed, constituting the first attempt to measure interindividual differences in the "(il)literate" usage of conversational agents. 29 items were derived, of which 170 participants answered. An explanatory factor analysis identified five factors leading to five subscales to assess CAL: storage and transfer of the smart speaker’s data input; smart speaker’s functional principles; smart speaker’s intelligent functions, learning abilities; smart speaker’s reach and potential; smart speaker’s technological (surrounding) infrastructure. Preliminary insights into construct validity and reliability of CALS showed satisfying results. Third, using the newly developed instrument, a student sample's CAL was assessed, revealing intermediated values. Remarkably, owning a smart speaker did not lead to higher CAL scores, confirming our basic assumption that usage of systems does not guarantee enlightened conceptualizations and competencies. In sum, the paper contributes to the first insights into the operationalization and understanding of CAL as a specific subdomain of AI-related competencies.

  @article{wienrich2021development, abstract = {The concept of digital literacy has been introduced as a new cultural technique, which is regarded as essential for successful participation in a (future) digitized world. Regarding the increasing importance of AI, literacy concepts need to be extended to account for AI-related specifics. Particularly, when considering that AI systems, such as (voice-based) conversational agents, are characterized by low user requirements and omnipresence. The easy handling of the systems results in increased usage, contrasting limited knowledge, fundamental misconceptions, false expectations, or misuse conceptualizations (e.g., imagination of future importance) and competencies (e.g., knowledge about functional principles). In reference to voice-based conversational agents as a concrete application of AI, the present paper aims for the development of a measurement to assess the conceptualizations and competencies about conversational agents. In a first step, a theoretical framework of "AI literacy" is transferred to the context of conversational agent literacy. Second, the "conversational agent literacy scale" (short CALS) is developed, constituting the first attempt to measure interindividual differences in the "(il)literate" usage of conversational agents. 29 items were derived, of which 170 participants answered. An explanatory factor analysis identified five factors leading to five subscales to assess CAL: storage and transfer of the smart speaker’s data input; smart speaker’s functional principles; smart speaker’s intelligent functions, learning abilities; smart speaker’s reach and potential; smart speaker’s technological (surrounding) infrastructure. Preliminary insights into construct validity and reliability of CALS showed satisfying results. Third, using the newly developed instrument, a student sample's CAL was assessed, revealing intermediated values. Remarkably, owning a smart speaker did not lead to higher CAL scores, confirming our basic assumption that usage of systems does not guarantee enlightened conceptualizations and competencies. In sum, the paper contributes to the first insights into the operationalization and understanding of CAL as a specific subdomain of AI-related competencies.}, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Carolus, Astrid}, journal = {Frontiers in Computer Science. Human-Media Interaction. Special Issue: Towards Omnipresent and Smart Speech Assistants}, keywords = {AI_work}, publisher = {Frontiers}, title = {Development of an Instrument to Measure Conceptualizations and Competencies About Conversational Agents on the Example of Smart Speakers}, type = {article}, year = 2021 }
• Carolus, Astrid, Carolin Wienrich, Anna Törke, Tobias Friedel, Christian Schwietering, and Mareike Sperzel. “`Alexa, I Feel for you!’ Observers’ Empathetic Reactions towards a Conversational Agent”. Frontiers in Computer Science. Human-Media Interaction. Special Issue: Towards Omnipresent and Smart Speech Assistants 3 (May 2021). https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomp.2021.682982.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  @article{Carolus_2021, author = {Carolus, Astrid and Wienrich, Carolin and Törke, Anna and Friedel, Tobias and Schwietering, Christian and Sperzel, Mareike}, journal = {Frontiers in Computer Science. Human-Media Interaction. Special Issue: Towards Omnipresent and Smart Speech Assistants}, keywords = {AI_work}, month = {05}, publisher = {Frontiers Media {SA}}, title = {`Alexa, I feel for you!' Observers' Empathetic Reactions towards a Conversational Agent}, volume = 3, year = 2021 }
• Carolus, Astrid, and Carolin Wienrich. “1st AI-DEbate Workshop : Workshop Establishing An InterDisciplinary PErspective on Speech-BAsed TEchnology”. In, edited by Astrid Carolus, Ingo Siebert, and Carolin Wienrich, 1st ed, 1-42. Magdeburg, Germany: Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 2021. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.25673/38471.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  @inbook{carolus2021aidebate, address = {Magdeburg, Germany}, author = {Carolus, Astrid and Wienrich, Carolin}, chapter = {Towards a holistic approach and measurement of humans interacting with speech-based technology}, edition = 1, editor = {Carolus, Astrid and Siebert, Ingo and Wienrich, Carolin}, keywords = {AI_work}, pages = {1–42}, publisher = {Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg}, title = {1st AI-DEbate Workshop : workshop establishing An InterDisciplinary pErspective on speech-BAsed TEchnology}, year = 2021 }
• Wolf, Erik, Nathalie Merdan, Nina Döllinger, David Mal, Carolin Wienrich, Mario Botsch, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “The Embodiment of Photorealistic Avatars Influences Female Body Weight Perception in Virtual Reality”. In 2021 IEEE Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR), 65-74. https://doi.org/10.1109/VR50410.2021.00027.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Embodiment and body perception have become important research topics in the field of virtual reality (VR). VR is considered a particularly promising tool to support research and therapy in regard to distorted body weight perception. However, the influence of embodiment on body weight perception has yet to be clarified. To address this gap, we compared body weight perception of 56 female participants of normal weight using a VR application. They either (a) self-embodied a photorealistic, non-personalized virtual human and performed body movements in front of a virtual mirror or (b) only observed the virtual human as other's avatar (or agent) performing the same movements in front of them. Afterward, participants had to estimate the virtual human's body weight. Additionally, we considered the influence of the participants' body mass index (BMI) on the estimations and captured the participants' feelings of presence and embodiment. Participants estimated the body weight of the virtual human as their embodied self-avatars significantly lower compared to participants rating the virtual human as other's avatar. Furthermore, the estimations of body weight were significantly predicted by the participant's BMI with embodiment, but not without. Our results clearly highlight embodiment as an important factor influencing the perception of virtual humans' body weights in VR.

  @inproceedings{wolf2021embodiment, abstract = {Embodiment and body perception have become important research topics in the field of virtual reality (VR). VR is considered a particularly promising tool to support research and therapy in regard to distorted body weight perception. However, the influence of embodiment on body weight perception has yet to be clarified. To address this gap, we compared body weight perception of 56 female participants of normal weight using a VR application. They either (a) self-embodied a photorealistic, non-personalized virtual human and performed body movements in front of a virtual mirror or (b) only observed the virtual human as other's avatar (or agent) performing the same movements in front of them. Afterward, participants had to estimate the virtual human's body weight. Additionally, we considered the influence of the participants' body mass index (BMI) on the estimations and captured the participants' feelings of presence and embodiment. Participants estimated the body weight of the virtual human as their embodied self-avatars significantly lower compared to participants rating the virtual human as other's avatar. Furthermore, the estimations of body weight were significantly predicted by the participant's BMI with embodiment, but not without. Our results clearly highlight embodiment as an important factor influencing the perception of virtual humans' body weights in VR.}, author = {Wolf, Erik and Merdan, Nathalie and Döllinger, Nina and Mal, David and Wienrich, Carolin and Botsch, Mario and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, booktitle = {2021 IEEE Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR)}, keywords = {vitras}, pages = {65-74}, title = {The Embodiment of Photorealistic Avatars Influences Female Body Weight Perception in Virtual Reality}, year = 2021 }

• Carolus, Astrid, and Carolin Wienrich. ““Respecting Alexa’s ‘Feelings’ - Effects of Politeness and Impoliteness on the Evaluation of Conversational Agents”. In.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @inproceedings{inproceedings, author = {Carolus, Astrid and Wienrich, Carolin}, keywords = {AI_work}, month = {05}, title = {“Respecting Alexa's “Feelings” - Effects of Politeness and Impoliteness on the Evaluation of Conversational Agents}, year = 2020 }
• Obremski, David, Carolin Wienrich, and Astrid Carolus. “What the user’s Voice Tells Us about UX - Analysing Parameters of the Voice As Indicators of the User Experience of the Usage of Intelligent Voice Assistants”. In. Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V, 2020. https://doi.org/10.18420/MUC2020-WS105-377.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  @inproceedings{https://doi.org/10.18420/muc2020-ws105-377, author = {Obremski, David and Wienrich, Carolin and Carolus, Astrid}, keywords = {obremski}, publisher = {Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V.}, title = {What the user’s voice tells us about UX - Analysing parameters of the voice as indicators of the User Experience of the usage of intelligent voice assistants}, year = 2020 }
• Wolf, Erik, Nina Döllinger, David Mal, Carolin Wienrich, Mario Botsch, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “Body Weight Perception of Females Using Photorealistic Avatars in Virtual and Augmented Reality”. In 2020 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR), 462-73. https://doi.org/10.1109/ISMAR50242.2020.00071.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  The appearance of avatars can potentially alter changes in their users' perception and behavior. Based on this finding, approaches to support the therapy of body perception disturbances in eating or body weight disorders by mixed reality (MR) systems gain in importance. However, the methodological heterogeneity of previous research has made it difficult to assess the suitability of different MR systems for therapeutic use in these areas. The effects of MR system properties and related psychometric factors on body-related perceptions have so far remained unclear. We developed an interactive virtual mirror embodiment application to investigate the differences between an augmented reality see-through head-mounted-display (HMD) and a virtual reality HMD on the before-mentioned factors. Additionally, we considered the influence of the participant's body-mass-index (BMI) and the BMI difference between participants and their avatars on the estimations. The 54 normal-weight female participants significantly underestimated the weight of their photorealistic, generic avatar in both conditions. Body weight estimations were significantly predicted by the participants' BMI and the BMI difference. We also observed partially significant differences in presence and tendencies for differences in virtual body ownership between the systems. Our results offer new insights into the relationships of body weight perception in different MR environments and provide new perspectives for the development of therapeutic applications.

  @inproceedings{wolf2020bodyweight, abstract = {The appearance of avatars can potentially alter changes in their users' perception and behavior. Based on this finding, approaches to support the therapy of body perception disturbances in eating or body weight disorders by mixed reality (MR) systems gain in importance. However, the methodological heterogeneity of previous research has made it difficult to assess the suitability of different MR systems for therapeutic use in these areas. The effects of MR system properties and related psychometric factors on body-related perceptions have so far remained unclear. We developed an interactive virtual mirror embodiment application to investigate the differences between an augmented reality see-through head-mounted-display (HMD) and a virtual reality HMD on the before-mentioned factors. Additionally, we considered the influence of the participant's body-mass-index (BMI) and the BMI difference between participants and their avatars on the estimations. The 54 normal-weight female participants significantly underestimated the weight of their photorealistic, generic avatar in both conditions. Body weight estimations were significantly predicted by the participants' BMI and the BMI difference. We also observed partially significant differences in presence and tendencies for differences in virtual body ownership between the systems. Our results offer new insights into the relationships of body weight perception in different MR environments and provide new perspectives for the development of therapeutic applications.}, author = {Wolf, Erik and Döllinger, Nina and Mal, David and Wienrich, Carolin and Botsch, Mario and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, booktitle = {2020 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR)}, keywords = {dmal}, pages = {462-473}, title = {Body Weight Perception of Females using Photorealistic Avatars in Virtual and Augmented Reality}, year = 2020 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, and Johanna Gramlich. “AppRaiseVR-An Evaluation Framework for Immersive Experiences”. I-com 19, no. 2 (2020): 103-21.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @article{wienrich2020appraisevr, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Gramlich, Johanna}, journal = {i-com}, keywords = {change_experience}, number = 2, pages = {103-121}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, title = {appRaiseVR-An Evaluation Framework for Immersive Experiences}, volume = 19, year = 2020 }
• Hurtienne, Jorn, Franzisca Maas, Astrid Carolus, Daniel Reinhardt, Cordula Baur, and Carolin Wienrich. “Move\&Find: The Value of Kinesthetic Experience in a Casual Data Representation”. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications 40, no. 6 (2020): 61-75.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @article{hurtienne2020move, author = {Hurtienne, Jorn and Maas, Franzisca and Carolus, Astrid and Reinhardt, Daniel and Baur, Cordula and Wienrich, Carolin}, journal = {IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications}, keywords = {j.hurtienne}, number = 6, pages = {61-75}, publisher = {IEEE}, title = {Move\&Find: The value of kinesthetic experience in a casual data representation}, volume = 40, year = 2020 }
• Mal, David. “[DC] The Impact of Social Interactions on an Embodied Individual’s Self-Perception in Virtual Environments”. In 2020 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW), 545-46. Atlanta, GA, USA, USA: IEEE, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1109/VRW50115.2020.00124.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  In shared immersive virtual reality, users can interact with other participants and experience them as being present in the environment. Thereby different aspects of the respective interaction partners can have an impact on the perceived quality of the communication and possibly also the self-perception of an embodied user. This paper describes various factors the author aims to investigate during his doctoral studies. As the research area of embodied social interactions is broad, relevant factors and concrete research questions have been identified to investigate how social contact with one or multiple other persons may affect one’s self-perception, behavior and her or his relationship with the others while being embodied in a virtual environment.

  @conference{mal2020impact, abstract = {In shared immersive virtual reality, users can interact with other participants and experience them as being present in the environment. Thereby different aspects of the respective interaction partners can have an impact on the perceived quality of the communication and possibly also the self-perception of an embodied user. This paper describes various factors the author aims to investigate during his doctoral studies. As the research area of embodied social interactions is broad, relevant factors and concrete research questions have been identified to investigate how social contact with one or multiple other persons may affect one’s self-perception, behavior and her or his relationship with the others while being embodied in a virtual environment.}, address = {Atlanta, GA, USA, USA}, author = {Mal, David}, booktitle = {2020 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW)}, keywords = {vitras}, pages = {545-546}, publisher = {IEEE}, title = {[DC] The Impact of Social Interactions on an Embodied Individual’s Self-perception in Virtual Environments}, year = 2020 }
• Carolin, Wienrich, Maria Eisenmann, Marc Erich Latoschik, and Silke Grafe. “CoTeach – Connected Teacher Education”. In Boosting Virtual Reality in Learning, edited by Michael Schwaiger, Focus europe special edition 2020. VRinSight Green Paper. E.N.T.E.R, 2020. https://www.enter-network.eu/3d-flip-book/focus-europe-vrinsight-greenpaper/.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  CoTeach develops and evaluates innovative teaching and learning contexts for student teachers and scholars. One work package couples the potential of VR with principles of intercultural learning to create tangible experiences with pedagogically responsible value

  @incollection{carolin2020coteach, abstract = {CoTeach develops and evaluates innovative teaching and learning contexts for student teachers and scholars. One work package couples the potential of VR with principles of intercultural learning to create tangible experiences with pedagogically responsible value}, author = {Carolin, Wienrich and Eisenmann, Maria and Latoschik, Marc Erich and Grafe, Silke}, booktitle = {Boosting Virtual Reality in Learning}, edition = {focus europe special edition 2020}, editor = {Schwaiger, Michael}, keywords = {c.wienrich}, publisher = {E.N.T.E.R.}, series = {VRinSight Green Paper}, title = {CoTeach – Connected Teacher Education}, year = 2020 }

• Carolus, Astrid, and Carolin Wienrich. “How Close Do You Feel to Your Devices? Visual Assessment of Emotional Relationships With Digital Devices”. Mensch Und Computer 2019-Workshopband, 2019.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @article{carolus2019close, author = {Carolus, Astrid and Wienrich, Carolin}, journal = {Mensch und Computer 2019-Workshopband}, keywords = {interaction_paradigm}, publisher = {Gesellschaft für Informatik eV}, title = {How close do you feel to your devices? Visual assessment of emotional relationships with digital devices}, year = 2019 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, and Kristina Schindler. “Challenges and Requirements of Immersive Media in Autonomous Car: Exploring the Feasibility of Virtual Entertainment Applications”. I-com 18, no. 2 (2019): 105-25.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @article{wienrich2019challenges, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Schindler, Kristina}, journal = {i-com}, keywords = {change_experience}, number = 2, pages = {105-125}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, title = {Challenges and Requirements of Immersive Media in Autonomous Car: Exploring the Feasibility of Virtual Entertainment Applications}, volume = 18, year = 2019 }
• Baumeister, Joachim, Veronika Sehne, and Carolin Wienrich. “A Systematic View on Speech Assistants for Service Technicians.”. In Proceedings of LWDA - Lernen. Wissen. Daten. Analysen 2019, 195-206. https://doi.org/0.1136/bmjspcare-2019-huknc.228.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ DOI ]
  @inproceedings{baumeister2019systematic, author = {Baumeister, Joachim and Sehne, Veronika and Wienrich, Carolin}, booktitle = {Proceedings of LWDA - Lernen. Wissen. Daten. Analysen 2019}, keywords = {AI_work}, pages = {195-206}, title = {A Systematic View on Speech Assistants for Service Technicians.}, year = 2019 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, Nina Döllinger, Simon Kock, and Klaus Gramann. “User-Centered Extension of a Locomotion Typology: Movement-Related Sensory Feedback and Spatial Learning.”. In VR, 690-98. IEEE, 2019. http://dblp.uni-trier.de/db/conf/vr/vr2019.html#WienrichDKG19.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  @inproceedings{conf/vr/WienrichDKG19, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Döllinger, Nina and Kock, Simon and Gramann, Klaus}, booktitle = {VR}, crossref = {conf/vr/2019}, keywords = {c.wienrich}, pages = {690-698}, publisher = {IEEE}, title = {User-Centered Extension of a Locomotion Typology: Movement-Related Sensory Feedback and Spatial Learning.}, year = 2019 }
• Döllinger, Nina, Carolin Wienrich, Erik Wolf, Mario Botsch, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “ViTraS - Virtual Reality Therapy by Stimulation of Modulated Body Image - Project Outline”. In 2019 Mensch Und Computer - Workshopband, 606-11. https://doi.org/10.18420/muc2019-ws-633.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  In the recent decades, obesity has become one of the major public health issues and is associated with severe other diseases. Although current multidisciplinary therapy approaches already include behavioral therapy techniques, the oftentimes remaining lack of psychotherapeutic support after surgery leads to relapses and renewed weight gain. This paper presents an overview of the project ViTraS-Virtual Reality Therapy by Stimulation of Modulated BodyImage - that addresses these challenges by (i) Developing an integrative model predicting the influential paths of immersive media for an effective behavioral change; (ii) Developing an augmented reality (AR)-mirror system enabling an effective therapy on body self-perception of patients, and (iii)Developing a multi-user virtual reality (VR)-system supply-ing social support from therapists and other patients. The three components of the ViTraS projects are briefly introduced, as well as a first VR-based prototype of the mirror system.

  @inproceedings{dollinger2019toappearvitras, abstract = {In the recent decades, obesity has become one of the major public health issues and is associated with severe other diseases. Although current multidisciplinary therapy approaches already include behavioral therapy techniques, the oftentimes remaining lack of psychotherapeutic support after surgery leads to relapses and renewed weight gain. This paper presents an overview of the project ViTraS-Virtual Reality Therapy by Stimulation of Modulated BodyImage - that addresses these challenges by (i) Developing an integrative model predicting the influential paths of immersive media for an effective behavioral change; (ii) Developing an augmented reality (AR)-mirror system enabling an effective therapy on body self-perception of patients, and (iii)Developing a multi-user virtual reality (VR)-system supply-ing social support from therapists and other patients. The three components of the ViTraS projects are briefly introduced, as well as a first VR-based prototype of the mirror system.}, author = {Döllinger, Nina and Wienrich, Carolin and Wolf, Erik and Botsch, Mario and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, booktitle = {2019 Mensch und Computer - Workshopband}, keywords = {vitras}, pages = {606-611}, title = {ViTraS - Virtual Reality Therapy by Stimulation of Modulated Body Image - Project Outline}, year = 2019 }
• Reinhardt, D, S Haesler, J Hurtienne, and C Wienrich. “Continuous and Non-Intrusive Measure of Mental Effort in Virtual Reality - Entropy of Controller Movements.”. IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR), 2019, 802-8.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @article{reinhardt2019continuous, author = {Reinhardt, D and Haesler, S and Hurtienne, J and Wienrich, C}, journal = {IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR)}, keywords = {j.hurtienne}, pages = {802-808}, title = {Continuous and Non-Intrusive Measure of Mental Effort in Virtual Reality - Entropy of Controller Movements.}, year = 2019 }
• Reinhardt, Daniel, Steffen Haesler, J{\"o}rn Hurtienne, and Carolin Wienrich. “Entropy of Controller Movements Reflects Mental Workload in Virtual Reality”. In 2019 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR), 802-8. IEEE, 2019.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @inproceedings{reinhardt2019entropy, author = {Reinhardt, Daniel and Haesler, Steffen and Hurtienne, J{\"o}rn and Wienrich, Carolin}, booktitle = {2019 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR)}, keywords = {j.hurtienne}, organization = {IEEE}, pages = {802–808}, title = {Entropy of controller movements reflects mental workload in virtual reality}, year = 2019 }
• Schmitt, Johann, Jean-Luc Lugrin, and Wienrich Carolin, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “Investigating Gesture-Based Commands for First-Person Shooter Games in Virtual Reality”. In Proceedings of User-Embodied Interaction in Virtual Reality, Mensch Und Computer 2019. http://downloads.hci.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de/2019-muc-uivr-workshop-Investigating-gesture-based-commands-for-first-person-shooter-games-in-vr.pdf.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  @inproceedings{LugrinGesture2019, author = {Schmitt, Johann and Lugrin, Jean-Luc and and Wienrich Carolin and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, booktitle = {Proceedings of User-embodied Interaction in Virtual Reality, Mensch und Computer 2019}, keywords = {c.wienrich}, title = {Investigating Gesture-based Commands for First-Person Shooter Games in Virtual Reality}, year = 2019 }
• Wolf, Erik, Ronja Heinrich, Annabell Michalek, David Schraudt, Anna Hohm, Rebecca Hein, Tobias Grundgeiger, and Oliver Happel. “Rapid Preparation of Eye Tracking Data for Debriefung in Medical Training: A Feasibility Study”. In 2019 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 63:733-37. https://doi.org/10.1177/1071181319631032.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Simulation-based medical training is an increasingly used method to improve the technical and non-technical performance of clinical staff. An essential part of training is the debriefing of the participants, often using audio, video, or even eye tracking recordings. We conducted a practice-oriented feasibility study to test an eye tracking data preparation procedure, which automatically provided information about the gaze distribution on areas of interest such as the vital sign monitor or the patient simulator. We acquired eye tracking data during three simulation scenarios and provided gaze distribution data for debriefing within 30 minutes. Additionally, we qualitatively evaluated the usefulness of the generated eye tracking data for debriefings. Participating students and debriefers were mostly positive about the data provided; however, future research should improve the technical side of the procedure and investigate best practices regarding how to present and use the data in debriefings.

  @inproceedings{wolf2019rapid, abstract = {Simulation-based medical training is an increasingly used method to improve the technical and non-technical performance of clinical staff. An essential part of training is the debriefing of the participants, often using audio, video, or even eye tracking recordings. We conducted a practice-oriented feasibility study to test an eye tracking data preparation procedure, which automatically provided information about the gaze distribution on areas of interest such as the vital sign monitor or the patient simulator. We acquired eye tracking data during three simulation scenarios and provided gaze distribution data for debriefing within 30 minutes. Additionally, we qualitatively evaluated the usefulness of the generated eye tracking data for debriefings. Participating students and debriefers were mostly positive about the data provided; however, future research should improve the technical side of the procedure and investigate best practices regarding how to present and use the data in debriefings.}, author = {Wolf, Erik and Heinrich, Ronja and Michalek, Annabell and Schraudt, David and Hohm, Anna and Hein, Rebecca and Grundgeiger, Tobias and Happel, Oliver}, booktitle = {2019 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting}, keywords = {piis}, number = 1, pages = {733-737}, title = {Rapid Preparation of Eye Tracking Data for Debriefung in Medical Training: A Feasibility Study}, volume = 63, year = 2019 }
• Roth, Daniel, Gary Bente, Peter Kullmann, David Mal, Christian Felix Purps, Kai Vogeley, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “Technologies for Social Augmentations in User-Embodied Virtual Reality”. In 25th ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology (VRST), 1-12. VRST ’19. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1145/3359996.3364269.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Technologies for Virtual, Mixed, and Augmented Reality (VR, MR, and AR) allow to artificially augment social interactions and thus to go beyond what is possible in real life. Motivations for the use of social augmentations are manifold, for example, to synthesize behavior when sensory input is missing, to provide additional affordances in shared environments, or to support inclusion and training of individuals with social communication disorders. We review and categorize augmentation approaches and propose a software architecture based on four data layers. Three components further handle the status analysis, the modification, and the blending of behaviors. We present a prototype (injectX) that supports behavior tracking (body motion, eye gaze, and facial expressions from the lower face), status analysis, decision-making, augmentation, and behavior blending in immersive interactions. Along with a critical reflection, we consider further technical and ethical aspects.

  @conference{roth2019technologies, abstract = {Technologies for Virtual, Mixed, and Augmented Reality (VR, MR, and AR) allow to artificially augment social interactions and thus to go beyond what is possible in real life. Motivations for the use of social augmentations are manifold, for example, to synthesize behavior when sensory input is missing, to provide additional affordances in shared environments, or to support inclusion and training of individuals with social communication disorders. We review and categorize augmentation approaches and propose a software architecture based on four data layers. Three components further handle the status analysis, the modification, and the blending of behaviors. We present a prototype (injectX) that supports behavior tracking (body motion, eye gaze, and facial expressions from the lower face), status analysis, decision-making, augmentation, and behavior blending in immersive interactions. Along with a critical reflection, we consider further technical and ethical aspects.}, author = {Roth, Daniel and Bente, Gary and Kullmann, Peter and Mal, David and Purps, Christian Felix and Vogeley, Kai and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, booktitle = {25th ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology (VRST)}, keywords = {insync}, month = 11, pages = {1-12}, series = {VRST '19}, title = {Technologies for Social Augmentations in User-Embodied Virtual Reality}, year = 2019 }

• Wienrich, C, F Kretschmer, R Gross, and G Müller-Plath. “Social Inhibition of Return in the Interaction Between Humans and Virtual Agents.”. In 60th Conference of Experimental Psychologists, 248.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @conference{wienrich2018social, author = {Wienrich, C and Kretschmer, F and Gross, R and Müller-Plath, G}, journal = {60th Conference of Experimental Psychologists}, keywords = {interaction_paradigm}, pages = 248, title = {Social Inhibition of Return in the interaction between Humans and Virtual Agents.}, year = 2018 }
• Janczyk, Markus, Patrik Mittelstädt, and Carolin Wienrich. “Parallel Dual-Task Processing and Task-Shielding in Older and Younger Adults: Behavioral and Diffusion Model Results”. Experimental Aging Research 44, no. 2 (2018): 95-116.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @article{janczyk2018parallel, author = {Janczyk, Markus and Mittelstädt, Patrik and Wienrich, Carolin}, journal = {Experimental aging research}, keywords = {m.janczyk}, number = 2, pages = {95-116}, publisher = {Taylor & Francis}, title = {Parallel dual-task processing and task-shielding in older and younger adults: Behavioral and diffusion model results}, volume = 44, year = 2018 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, Nina Döllinger, Simon Kock, Kristina Schindler, and Ole Traupe. “Assessing User Experience in Virtual Reality - A Comparison of Different Measurements.”. In HCI (18), edited by Aaron Marcus and Wentao Wang, 10918:573-89. Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Springer, 2018. http://dblp.uni-trier.de/db/conf/hci/hci2018-18.html#WienrichDKST18.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  @inproceedings{conf/hci/WienrichDKST18, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Döllinger, Nina and Kock, Simon and Schindler, Kristina and Traupe, Ole}, booktitle = {HCI (18)}, crossref = {conf/hci/2018-18}, editor = {Marcus, Aaron and Wang, Wentao}, keywords = {c.wienrich}, pages = {573-589}, publisher = {Springer}, series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science}, title = {Assessing User Experience in Virtual Reality - A Comparison of Different Measurements.}, volume = 10918, year = 2018 }
• Trapp, A K, N von Kalckreuth, J Reibke, and C Wienrich. “How to Find the Right App: Effects of Color-Coded Categories on Visual Search on Smartphones.”. In 60th Conference of Experimental Psychologists, 248.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @conference{trapp2018right, author = {Trapp, A K and von Kalckreuth, N and Reibke, J and Wienrich, C}, journal = {60th Conference of Experimental Psychologists}, keywords = {n.vonkacklreuth}, pages = 248, title = {How to find the right app: effects of color-coded categories on visual search on smartphones.}, year = 2018 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, Richard Gross, Felix Kretschmer, and Gisela M{\"u}ller-Plath. “Developing and Proving a Framework for Reaction Time Experiments in VR to Objectively Measure Social Interaction With Virtual Agents”. In 2018 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR), 191-98. IEEE, 2018.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @inproceedings{wienrich2018developing, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Gross, Richard and Kretschmer, Felix and M{\"u}ller-Plath, Gisela}, booktitle = {2018 IEEE conference on virtual reality and 3D user interfaces (VR)}, keywords = {interaction_paradigm}, organization = {IEEE}, pages = {191-198}, title = {Developing and proving a framework for reaction time experiments in VR to objectively measure social interaction with virtual agents}, year = 2018 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, Kristina Schindler, Nina Döllinger, Simon Kock, and Ole Traupe. “Social Presence and Cooperation in Large-Scale Multi-User Virtual Reality - The Relevance of Social Interdependence for Location-Based Environments.”. In VR, edited by Kiyoshi Kiyokawa, Frank Steinicke, Bruce H. Thomas, and Greg Welch, 207-14. IEEE Computer Society, 2018. http://dblp.uni-trier.de/db/conf/vr/vr2018.html#WienrichSDKT18.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  @inproceedings{conf/vr/WienrichSDKT18, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Schindler, Kristina and Döllinger, Nina and Kock, Simon and Traupe, Ole}, booktitle = {VR}, crossref = {conf/vr/2018}, editor = {Kiyokawa, Kiyoshi and Steinicke, Frank and Thomas, Bruce H. and Welch, Greg}, keywords = {c.wienrich}, pages = {207-214}, publisher = {IEEE Computer Society}, title = {Social Presence and Cooperation in Large-Scale Multi-User Virtual Reality - The Relevance of Social Interdependence for Location-Based Environments.}, year = 2018 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, Kristina Schindler, N Döllinqer, Simon Kock, and Ole Traupe. “Social Presence and Cooperation in Large-Scale Multi-User Virtual Reality-the Relevance of Social Interdependence for Location-Based Environments”. In 2018 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR), 207-14. IEEE, 2018.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @inproceedings{wienrich2018social, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Schindler, Kristina and Döllinqer, N and Kock, Simon and Traupe, Ole}, booktitle = {2018 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR)}, keywords = {interaction_paradigm}, organization = {IEEE}, pages = {207-214}, title = {Social presence and cooperation in large-scale multi-user virtual reality-the relevance of social interdependence for location-based environments}, year = 2018 }
• Wienrich, C, and F Kretschmer. “Does Different Representations of a Virtual Co-Actor Influence Implicit Social Phenomena?”. In Proceedings of the 15th Workshop on Virtual and Augmented Reality of the GI Special Interest Group VR AR. GI, 2018.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @inproceedings{wienrich2018different, author = {Wienrich, C and Kretschmer, F}, journal = {Proceedings of the 15th Workshop on Virtual and Augmented Reality of the GI Special Interest Group VR/AR}, keywords = {interaction_paradigm}, publisher = {GI}, title = {Does different representations of a virtual co-actor influence implicit social phenomena?}, year = 2018 }
• Trapp, Anna K, and Carolin Wienrich. “App Icon Similarity and Its Impact on Visual Search Efficiency on Mobile Touch Devices”. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications 3, no. 1 (2018): 39.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @article{trapp2018app, author = {Trapp, Anna K and Wienrich, Carolin}, journal = {Cognitive research: principles and implications}, keywords = {interaction_paradigm}, number = 1, pages = 39, publisher = {Springer}, title = {App icon similarity and its impact on visual search efficiency on mobile touch devices}, volume = 3, year = 2018 }
• Wienrich, C., C. K. Weidner, C. Schatto, D. Obremski, and J. H. Israel. “A Virtual Nose As a Rest-Frame - The Impact on Simulator Sickness and Game Experience”. In 2018 10th International Conference on Virtual Worlds and Games for Serious Applications (VS-Games), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1109/VS-Games.2018.8493408.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  This paper presents an experiment measuring the impact of a virtual nose on simulator sickness and game experience in a virtual reality game presented on an Oculus Rift DK 2. Furthermore, the presented study investigated in the significance of the rest-frame\u0027s salience, for it to reduce simulator sickness. The results of our study indicated that the usage of a virtual nose reduces simulator sickness while it does not affect the game experience. Further results showed no significant impact of the rest-frame\u0027s salience, neither on simulator sickness nor on the game experience. In sum, the outcome of the study supports the thesis that a rest-frame in form of a virtual nose can be used in virtual reality applications to reduce simulator sickness.

  @inproceedings{8493408, abstract = {This paper presents an experiment measuring the impact of a virtual nose on simulator sickness and game experience in a virtual reality game presented on an Oculus Rift DK 2. Furthermore, the presented study investigated in the significance of the rest-frame\u0027s salience, for it to reduce simulator sickness. The results of our study indicated that the usage of a virtual nose reduces simulator sickness while it does not affect the game experience. Further results showed no significant impact of the rest-frame\u0027s salience, neither on simulator sickness nor on the game experience. In sum, the outcome of the study supports the thesis that a rest-frame in form of a virtual nose can be used in virtual reality applications to reduce simulator sickness.}, author = {Wienrich, C. and Weidner, C. K. and Schatto, C. and Obremski, D. and Israel, J. H.}, booktitle = {2018 10th International Conference on Virtual Worlds and Games for Serious Applications (VS-Games)}, keywords = {obremski}, month = {09}, pages = {1-8}, title = {A Virtual Nose as a Rest-Frame - The Impact on Simulator Sickness and Game Experience}, year = 2018 }
• Roth, Daniel, and Carolin Wienrich. “Effects of Media Immersiveness on the Perception of Virtual Characters”. In Proceedings of the 15th Workshop on Virtual and Augmented Reality of the GI Special Interest Group VR AR, edited by Ralf Dörner, Paul Grimm, and Christian Geiger.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  Virtual characters are widely used in digital media and entertainment, and become more frequent in Virtual Reality (VR) applications. Multiple previous works assessed the perception of virtual characters. Yet, a comparison of the effects of non-immersive and immersive settings on character perception and affect recognition has not been presented. Therefore, we conducted a mixed-design study, that assessed the perception of virtual characters in a desktop setting compared to an immersive VR setting. The piloting findings revealed that although typical evaluation dimensions such as humanness or eeriness did not differ significantly, socially related judgments such as sympathy, attractiveness, and trust showed significant differences between the media. We conclude that these dimensions need further assessments, and suggest that pretesting may be done best in the target media.

  @inproceedings{roth2018effects, abstract = {Virtual characters are widely used in digital media and entertainment, and become more frequent in Virtual Reality (VR) applications. Multiple previous works assessed the perception of virtual characters. Yet, a comparison of the effects of non-immersive and immersive settings on character perception and affect recognition has not been presented. Therefore, we conducted a mixed-design study, that assessed the perception of virtual characters in a desktop setting compared to an immersive VR setting. The piloting findings revealed that although typical evaluation dimensions such as humanness or eeriness did not differ significantly, socially related judgments such as sympathy, attractiveness, and trust showed significant differences between the media. We conclude that these dimensions need further assessments, and suggest that pretesting may be done best in the target media.}, author = {Roth, Daniel and Wienrich, Carolin}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 15th Workshop on Virtual and Augmented Reality of the GI Special Interest Group VR/AR}, editor = {Dörner, Ralf and Grimm, Paul and Geiger, Christian}, keywords = {insync}, month = 10, title = {Effects of Media Immersiveness on the Perception of Virtual Characters}, year = 2018 }
• Roth, Daniel, David Mal, Christian Felix Purps, Peter Kullmann, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “Injecting Nonverbal Mimicry With Hybrid Avatar-Agent Technologies: A Naïve Approach”. In Proceedings of the 6th ACM Symposium on Spatial User Interaction (SUI), 69-73. ACM, 2018. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1145/3267782.3267791.
  • [ Abstract ]
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  Humans communicate to a large degree through nonverbal behavior. Nonverbal mimicry, i.e., the imitation of another’s behavior can positively affect the social interactions. In virtual environments, user behavior can be replicated to avatars, and agent behaviors can be artificially constructed. By combining both, hybrid avatar-agent technologies aim at actively mediating virtual communication to foster interpersonal understanding and rapport.We present a naïve prototype, the “Mimicry Injector”, that injects artificial mimicry in real-time virtual interactions. In an evaluation study, two participants were embodied in a Virtual Reality (VR) simulation, and had to perform a negotiation task. Their virtual characters either a) replicated only the original behavior or b) displayed the original behavior plus induced mimicry. We found that most participants did not detect the modification. However, the modification did not have a significant impact on the perception of the communication.

  @inproceedings{roth2018injecting, abstract = {Humans communicate to a large degree through nonverbal behavior. Nonverbal mimicry, i.e., the imitation of another’s behavior can positively affect the social interactions. In virtual environments, user behavior can be replicated to avatars, and agent behaviors can be artificially constructed. By combining both, hybrid avatar-agent technologies aim at actively mediating virtual communication to foster interpersonal understanding and rapport.We present a naïve prototype, the “Mimicry Injector”, that injects artificial mimicry in real-time virtual interactions. In an evaluation study, two participants were embodied in a Virtual Reality (VR) simulation, and had to perform a negotiation task. Their virtual characters either a) replicated only the original behavior or b) displayed the original behavior plus induced mimicry. We found that most participants did not detect the modification. However, the modification did not have a significant impact on the perception of the communication.}, author = {Roth, Daniel and Mal, David and Purps, Christian Felix and Kullmann, Peter and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 6th ACM Symposium on Spatial User Interaction (SUI)}, keywords = {injectx}, month = 10, note = {Honorable mention award 🏆}, pages = {69-73}, publisher = {ACM}, title = {Injecting Nonverbal Mimicry with Hybrid Avatar-Agent Technologies: A Naïve Approach}, year = 2018 }

• Wienrich, C, F Noller, and M Thüring. “Design Principles for VR Interaction Models: An Empirical Pilot Study”. In Virtuelle Und Erweiterte Realitäten. 14. Workshop Der GI-Fachgruppe VR AR, 162-71.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @inproceedings{wienrich2017design, author = {Wienrich, C and Noller, F and Thüring, M}, booktitle = {Virtuelle und erweiterte Realitäten. 14. Workshop der GI-Fachgruppe VR/AR}, keywords = {f.noller}, pages = {162-171}, title = {Design principles for VR interaction models: an empirical pilot study}, year = 2017 }
• Spang, C, A K Trapp, and C Wienrich. “Support for Visual Search on Touch Displays by Colour Coding of Semantic Categories.”. In 59th Conference of Experimental Psychologists, 248.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @conference{spang2017support, author = {Spang, C and Trapp, A K and Wienrich, C}, journal = {59th Conference of Experimental Psychologists}, keywords = {interaction_paradigm}, pages = 248, title = {Support for visual search on touch displays by colour coding of semantic categories.}, year = 2017 }
• Freytag, Sarah-Christin, and Carolin Wienrich. “Evaluation of a Virtual Gaming Environment Designed to Access Emotional Reactions While Playing”. In 2017 9th International Conference on Virtual Worlds and Games for Serious Applications (VS-Games), 145-48. IEEE, 2017.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @inproceedings{freytag2017evaluation, author = {Freytag, Sarah-Christin and Wienrich, Carolin}, booktitle = {2017 9th International Conference on Virtual Worlds and Games for Serious Applications (VS-Games)}, keywords = {s.freytag}, organization = {IEEE}, pages = {145-148}, title = {Evaluation of a virtual gaming environment designed to access emotional reactions while playing}, year = 2017 }
• Wienrich, Carolin, Martin Zachoszcz, Max von Schlippe, and Richard Packhäuser. “Pilotstudie: Einsatz Von Mobilen VR-Anwendungen in gleichmäßig Und Ruhig Bewegten Transportsystemen”. Mensch Und Computer 2017-Workshopband, 2017.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  @article{wienrich2017pilotstudie, author = {Wienrich, Carolin and Zachoszcz, Martin and Schlippe, Max von and Packhäuser, Richard}, journal = {Mensch und Computer 2017-Workshopband}, keywords = {change_experience}, publisher = {Gesellschaft für Informatik eV}, title = {Pilotstudie: Einsatz von mobilen VR-Anwendungen in gleichmäßig und ruhig bewegten Transportsystemen}, year = 2017 }

• Lugrin, Jean-Luc, David Obremski, Daniel Roth, and Marc Erich Latoschik. “Audio Feedback and Illusion of Virtual Body Ownership in Mixed Reality”. In Proceedings of the 22Nd ACM Conference on Virtual Reality Software and Technology, 309-10. VRST \u002716. Munich, Germany: ACM, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1145/2993369.2996319.
  • [ BibTeX ]
  • [ URL ]
  • [ DOI ]
  @inproceedings{Lugrin:2016:AFI:2993369.2996319, address = {New York, NY, USA}, author = {Lugrin, Jean-Luc and Obremski, David and Roth, Daniel and Latoschik, Marc Erich}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 22Nd ACM Conference on Virtual Reality Software and Technology}, keywords = {ivbo}, pages = {309-310}, publisher = {ACM}, series = {VRST \u002716}, title = {Audio Feedback and Illusion of Virtual Body Ownership in Mixed Reality}, year = 2016 }