POSTEMOTION: Socio-emotional augmentation of human exodus to virtual reality

POSTEMOTION investigates socio-emotional augmentation of interaction in virtual reality amidst the on-going climate crisis and pandemic -driven digital exodus. The project investigates how 1) different forms of embodiment into virtual avatars (WPe), 2) affective synchronization (WPs), 3) computer-mediated touch (WPt) and all three together (WPc) can enhance emotional awareness and empathic social interactions in different kinds of collaborative scenarios (i.e., large hierarchical groups, hierarchical and non-hierarchical dyads, and ad-hoc groups). Mediation by experiences related to technology-mediated communication (e.g. presence, immersion) and moderation by personality traits (e.g. extraversion, immersive tendencies) will also be examined. The project will ultimately benefit society by being able to present “best practices” for enhancing technologically-mediated socio-emotional interactions utilizing virtual/game/neuro-adaptive technologies.