Exploring the effects of virtual agents’ smiles on human-agent interaction: A mixed-method study

TY - CHAP

T1 - Exploring the effects of virtual agents’ smiles on human-agent interaction: A mixed-method study

AU - Torre, Ilaria

AU - Tuncer, Sylvaine

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Artificial agents’ smiling behaviour is likely to influence their likeability and the quality of user experience. While studies of human interaction highlight the importance of smile dynamics, this feature is often lacking in artificial agents, presenting a design opportunity. We developed a virtual motivational therapist with four smiling behaviours, varying in terms of quality and dynamism . We video-recorded experimental sessions with participants who posed as patients in a therapy session. The data were analysed combining a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, focusing on participants’ own facial expressions during the interaction. Results suggest that the condition driven using data from a real therapist, where smiles are dynamic and occur at specific moments, is the most effective. We further discuss the particular importance of smile as a multipurposeemotional display in human-machine interaction.

AB - Artificial agents’ smiling behaviour is likely to influence their likeability and the quality of user experience. While studies of human interaction highlight the importance of smile dynamics, this feature is often lacking in artificial agents, presenting a design opportunity. We developed a virtual motivational therapist with four smiling behaviours, varying in terms of quality and dynamism . We video-recorded experimental sessions with participants who posed as patients in a therapy session. The data were analysed combining a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, focusing on participants’ own facial expressions during the interaction. Results suggest that the condition driven using data from a real therapist, where smiles are dynamic and occur at specific moments, is the most effective. We further discuss the particular importance of smile as a multipurposeemotional display in human-machine interaction.

M3 - Conference paper

BT - 9th International Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction (ACII)

ER -