Open AccessVirtual Mirror and Beyond: The Psychological Basis for Avatar Embodiment via a Mirror
Author(s) -
Yoshio Inoue,
Michiteru Kitazaki
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of robotics and mechatronics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 1883-8049
pISSN - 0915-3942
DOI - 10.20965/jrm.2021.p1004
Subject(s) - avatar , embodied cognition , perception , reflection (computer programming) , virtual reality , computer science , mirror image , mirror neuron , human–computer interaction , virtual image , identification (biology) , virtual machine , psychology , computer vision , artificial intelligence , cognitive psychology , optics , physics , biology , programming language , operating system , botany , neuroscience
In virtual reality (VR), a virtual mirror is often used to display the VR avatar to the user for enhancing the embodiment. The reflected image of the synchronization of the virtual body with the user’s movement is expected to be recognized as the user’s own reflection. In addition to the visuo-motor synchrony, there are some mirror reflection factors that are probably involved in avatar embodiment. This paper reviews literature on the psychological studies that involve mirror-specific self-identification and embodied perception to clarify how the reflected image of the virtual body is embodied. Furthermore, subjective misconceptions about mirror reflections reported in naïve optics have also been reviewed to discuss the potential of virtual mirror displays to modulate avatar embodiment.