Virtual self-disclosure exceeds the real world
Compare real virtual video calls and verify the effectiveness of self-disclosure
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- Given the increasing popularity of online communication in video calls and virtual reality (VR), four communication media: real, video calls, and two virtual (real avatars and non-real avatars) that interact face to face※1We quantitatively measured and examined self-disclosure, which plays a central role in building relationships and bonds.
- The degree of self-disclosure was statistically significantly higher for virtual (especially non-real avatars) than for real, and no significant differences were seen between video calls and real.
- Gender combinations also influenced self-disclosure,and the highest degree of combinations were among women,regardless of communication media.
overview
Online communication is becoming more popular in a variety of situations, such as education and work. Understanding whether self-disclosure, which is considered essential to building and maintaining relationships, differs between online and real communication, is significant when considering new communication tools.
Professor at Waseda University School of Human Sciences Ichino Junko The research group, including Ide Masahiro, section chief at the technology & Innovation Headquarters at TIS Co., Ltd., Yokoyama Hitomi, professor at the Faculty of Business governance at Okayama University, Asano Hirotoshi, associate professor at the Faculty of data at Kogakuin University, miyachi Hideo, professor at the Faculty of Media and Information at Tokyo city University, and Okabe Daisuke, professor at the Faculty of Education at the Faculty of Real, Video Call, and two virtual media (real avatars that resemble the person and non-real avatars that resemble the person), investigated (1) how self-disclosure is encouraged compared to real people compared to real people, and (2) how gender combinations affect this. The results concluded that (1) virtual (especially non-real avatars) have more than 1.5 times more personal feelings disclosure than real people, while video calls are not significantly diffrent from real people, and (2) gender combinations with the highest degree of self-disclosure are among women, and that this tendency is noticeable when disclosing personal information.
The results of this research were published on June 4th, 2025 in the online version of “Behavior & Information Technology.”
Paper title: Effects of new communication media and gender on self-disclosure
What we’ve learned from previous research
Since self-disclosure is an essential element of communication, in addition to research on self-disclosure in real-life dialogue, research on self-disclosure in conventional communication media through text and speech has also been carried out very actively. manny studies have shown that text- and speech-mediated dialogue encourages self-disclosure than real-life dialogue. However, little was known about whether new communication media such as video calls and virtual would encourage self-disclosure compared to the real world.
What we have discovered and what we have tried to realize in this research
In this study, 72 pairs (144) participants were tes
Figure 3.Survey on how much self-disclosure was possible to interact with others (comparison between communication media)
Figure 4 Survey on how much self-disclosure is highly likely to be made to the othre person in the future (comparison between communication media)
◆Verification (2) How does gender combination affect self-disclosure?
[Language behavior]
As an inevitable result of finding self-disclosure scores,the scores were higher among women (the gender of the person who discloses them and the gender of the person who is being exposed),the opposite sex,and the men,and this tendency was noticeable when disclosure of information categories (items relating to the person’s appearance,personality,experience,family,etc.) (Figure 5). These results are consistent with many social psychology findings that explored real-world dialogues.
[Participant recognition]
Consequently of measuring participants’ own perceptions using multiple questionnaires, in almost all items, the highest ratings were between women, as were the highest ratings for almost all items, while the lowest ratings were revealed from women to men, unlike verbal behavior (men) (Figures 6 and 7).
As in verification (1)
The Expanding Role of Virtual Reality in fostering Emotional Wellbeing and Open Communication
Virtual Reality (VR) is rapidly evolving beyond gaming and entertainment, emerging as a powerful tool for enhancing emotional expression and facilitating crucial interpersonal connections. As mental health awareness grows – with the World Health Organization reporting nearly one billion people living with a mental disorder globally – the demand for accessible and innovative support systems is surging. VR offers a unique environment to address this need, promising impactful applications across diverse sectors including mental healthcare, professional advancement, and personal wellness.
VR Applications for Enhanced Support
The immersive nature of VR creates a sense of presence and safety that can encourage vulnerability and open communication. This opens doors to a range of services, including:
Virtual Mental healthcare: VR platforms can deliver therapeutic interventions for individuals facing challenges like depression, anxiety, dementia, cancer-related distress, and adjustment disorders. Patients can engage in counseling and psychotherapy sessions with trained professionals within a secure and controlled virtual environment.
Support Networks for Caregivers: Recognizing the significant emotional toll on caregivers, VR can host virtual “caregiver cafes” – spaces for individuals supporting loved ones with dementia or physical limitations to connect, share experiences, and recieve peer support.
* On-Demand Emotional Support: VR-based services can provide accessible stress relief through interactions with empathetic “listening agents” – AI-powered or human-operated avatars designed to offer a non-judgmental space for individuals to express anxieties related to health,relationships,or daily life. A recent study by PwC found that 68% of US adults would be open to using VR for mental health support.
Beyond Therapy: Utilizing VR for Honest Dialogue
The potential of VR extends beyond traditional therapeutic settings. The inherent anonymity and reduced social pressures within virtual spaces can facilitate more candid self-disclosure. This is especially valuable in professional contexts. For exmaple, a manager seeking genuine feedback from their team might leverage a VR environment to encourage open and honest dialogue, allowing subordinates to express concerns they might hesitate to voice in a traditional face-to-face meeting. Imagine a scenario where a team lead uses a VR meeting space to conduct one-on-ones,fostering a more relaxed atmosphere where employees feel comfortable sharing their challenges and ideas.
Ongoing Research and Future Directions
Current research,like studies exploring the impact of avatar characteristics on self-disclosure,is crucial for optimizing VR’s effectiveness. Initial investigations have largely focused on avatars mirroring the user’s real-world gender and presenting a neutral appearance. However,emerging evidence suggests that utilizing avatars with differing gender presentations can significantly influence user behavior and psychological responses.
Furthermore, most studies to date have examined interactions between strangers.Future research should investigate how established relationships and varying degrees of familiarity impact self-disclosure within VR. Exploring the dynamics of communication between individuals with pre-existing bonds – friends, family, or long-term colleagues – could reveal valuable insights into how VR can strengthen existing connections and foster deeper understanding.
The field is poised for continued innovation, with advancements in haptic technology and AI promising even more realistic and emotionally resonant VR experiences. As the technology matures, VR is set to become an increasingly integral component of a holistic approach to mental wellbeing and effective communication.