Augmented Virtual Reality Meditation

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Simo Järvelä ◽  
Benjamin Cowley ◽  
Mikko Salminen ◽  
Giulio Jacucci ◽  
Juho Hamari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Affective Computing ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Health And Wellness ◽  
Frontal Asymmetry ◽  
Compassion Meditation ◽  
Physiological Synchrony ◽  
Dyadic Synchrony

In a novel experimental setting, we augmented a variation of traditional compassion meditation with our custom-built VR environment for multiple concurrent users. The presence of another user’s avatar in shared virtual space supports social interactions and provides an active target for evoked compassion. The system incorporates respiration and brainwave-based biofeedback to enable closed-loop interaction of users based on their shared physiological state. Specifically, we enhanced interoception and the deep empathetic processes involved in compassion meditation with real-time visualizations of: breathing rate, level of approach motivation assessed from EEG frontal asymmetry, and dyadic synchrony of those signals between two users. We manipulated these interventions across eight separate conditions (dyadic or solo meditation; brainwave, breathing, both or no biofeedback) in an experiment with 39 dyads (N=8), observing the effect of conditions on self-reported experience and physiological synchrony. We found that each different shared biofeedback type increased users’ self-reported empathy and social presence, compared to no-biofeedback or solo conditions. Our study illustrates how dyadic synchrony biofeedback can expand the possibilities of biofeedback in affective computing and VR solutions for health and wellness.

scholarly journals Despite Appearances: Comparing Emotion Recognition in Abstract and Humanoid Avatars Using Nonverbal Behavior in Social Virtual Reality

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yilu Sun ◽  
Andrea Stevenson Won
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Nonverbal Behavior ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Social Closeness ◽  
Similar Information ◽  
Individual Measure ◽  
And Behavior

The ability to perceive emotional states is a critical part of social interactions, shaping how people understand and respond to each other. In face-to-face communication, people perceive others’ emotions through observing their appearance and behavior. In virtual reality, how appearance and behavior are rendered must be designed. In this study, we asked whether people conversing in immersive virtual reality (VR) would perceive emotion more accurately depending on whether they and their partner were represented by realistic or abstract avatars. In both cases, participants got similar information about the tracked movement of their partners’ heads and hands, though how this information was expressed varied. We collected participants’ self-reported emotional state ratings of themselves and their ratings of their conversational partners’ emotional states after a conversation in VR. Participants’ ratings of their partners’ emotional states correlated to their partners’ self-reported ratings regardless of which of the avatar conditions they experienced. We then explored how these states were reflected in their nonverbal behavior, using a dyadic measure of nonverbal behavior (proximity between conversational partners) and an individual measure (expansiveness of gesture). We discuss how this relates to measures of social presence and social closeness.

scholarly journals The Application of Affective Computing Technology to E-Learning

2014 ◽  
pp. 109-128
Author(s):  
Nik Thompson ◽  
Tanya Jane McGill
Keyword(s):  
Affective Computing ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Human Communication ◽  
Tutoring Systems ◽  
User Input ◽  
E Learning ◽  
New Generation

This chapter discusses the domain of affective computing and reviews the area of affective tutoring systems: e-learning applications that possess the ability to detect and appropriately respond to the affective state of the learner. A significant proportion of human communication is non-verbal or implicit, and the communication of affective state provides valuable context and insights. Computers are for all intents and purposes blind to this form of communication, creating what has been described as an “affective gap.” Affective computing aims to eliminate this gap and to foster the development of a new generation of computer interfaces that emulate a more natural human-human interaction paradigm. The domain of learning is considered to be of particular note due to the complex interplay between emotions and learning. This is discussed in this chapter along with the need for new theories of learning that incorporate affect. Next, the more commonly applicable means for inferring affective state are identified and discussed. These can be broadly categorized into methods that involve the user’s input and methods that acquire the information independent of any user input. This latter category is of interest as these approaches have the potential for more natural and unobtrusive implementation, and it includes techniques such as analysis of vocal patterns, facial expressions, and physiological state. The chapter concludes with a review of prominent affective tutoring systems in current research and promotes future directions for e-learning that capitalize on the strengths of affective computing.

To fight, or not to fight: determinants and consequences of social behaviour in young red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)

Behaviour ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 146 (6) ◽  
pp. 815-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinnosuke Nakayama ◽  
Alfredo Ojanguren ◽  
Lee Fuiman
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Developmental State ◽  
Red Drum ◽  
Sciaenops Ocellatus ◽  
Competitive Disadvantage ◽  
Nursery Habitats ◽  
Wet Weight

Abstract Social behaviour is critical for survival and fitness in many organisms. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of developmental state, physiological state and their differences between individuals on the intensities of aggressive and grouping behaviours in red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) larvae. Body size was used as a proxy for developmental state and body condition (i.e., residual of wet weight from the relationship between body size and wet weight) as a measure of physiological condition. Social interactions between two fish were observed for 30 min in a 9-l tank. We found that the duration of grouping behaviour increased as body size increased, but aggressive behaviour was less frequent as body size and condition increased. The larger fish in a trial tended to be aggressive to the smaller one, and fish of similar sizes tended to show grouping behaviour. Fish that more frequently displayed aggressive behaviours tended to occupy the lower part of the water column. Body size and condition were important determinants of social interactions between red drum larvae. Our results suggest competitive disadvantage for the larvae from late cohorts when they recruit to the nursery habitats where larger larvae from early cohorts have already occupied.

Non-Verbal Communication in the Context of Social Presence in Virtual Space

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 273-294
Author(s):  
Nuredayu Omar ◽  
◽  
Salafiah Mohd Ali ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Presence ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Verbal Communication ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Online Teaching And Learning ◽  
Communication Processes ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Virtual Presence ◽  
The Individual

Studies related to non-verbal communication in virtual space need to be explored as a result of changes in communication processes that largely rely on online interaction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Undoubtedly, it has extended the scope of understanding an individual’s virtual presence and the effectiveness of non-verbal communication practices. In this study, non-verbal communication is explored in the process of online teaching and learning. Social Presence Theory has been used in understanding the practice of lecturers to establish relationships through their virtual presence and build closeness with students during online teaching and learning. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of ten students of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). This study has found that lecturers can establish relationships and closeness with students through non-verbal communication cues such as kinesic, proxemic, chronemic, and paralinguistic. Lecturers who practice effective non-verbal communication enable a positive effect on students in terms of motivation to learn, focus in learning sessions, create interest in understanding topics, and feel at ease in learning. However, the lecturers' non-verbal communication has had a negative effect if the lecturer is unable to build a good relationship especially in terms of chronemic and facial expressions cues. It will cause students to be unmotivated and experience emotional stress. In conclusion, non-verbal communication is still vital in the process of establishing a social presence and building relationships even online. The practice of non-verbal communication during the individual social presence in virtual space needs to be explored in other contexts such as in organisations. Keywords: Non-verbal communication, online learning, qualitative, Social Presence Theory, Covid-19.

Where are the Students? Social and Learning Practices in Digital Settings

2020 ◽  
pp. 201-207
Author(s):  
Daniel Domínguez ◽  
Inés Gil-Jaurena ◽  
Javier Morentin ◽  
Belén Ballesteros ◽  
Alberto Izquierdo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Mediated Learning ◽  
Learning Practices ◽  
Digital Spaces

The aim of the study is to understand the role of social presence in digitally mediated learning processes and, consequently, to improve the design of the courses we teach at UNED. The spaces of greatest interaction between students are social networks and mobile instant messaging services, not only for social purposes but also for learning. That is why we are researching about students’ practices in those spaces while they are studying. In this paper, we present preliminary findings identifying if those social interactions happen within the online courses or in other digital spaces.

Being social in a 3D collaborative virtual learning environment : a case study of youth with autism spectrum disorder learning social competence in iSocial

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Xianhui Wang
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Competence ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Reciprocal Social Interaction

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Over the past decade 3D collaborative virtual learning has gained increasing attention from researchers and practitioners in educational technology. Learners experience of presence in collaborative activities and social interactions among learners are identified as key constructs for the social dimensions of 3D collaborative virtual learning. 3D Collaborative Virtual Learning Environments (CVLEs) are beginning to be used to support learning in a variety of disciplines, including social skills learning for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This case study explores 11 youth with ASD's experience of embodied social presence and reciprocal social interaction while learning social competence in a 3D CVLE-iSocial. The findings describe youth with ASD's 1) levels of embodied presence, embodied copresence, and embodied social presence; and 2) verbal and nonverbal reciprocal social interactions across the variety of Naturalistic Practice activities in iSocial. In addition, the results of this case study inform future design by indicating associations of design features of iSocial 3D CVLE with youth with ASD's experience of embodied social presence and characteristics of reciprocal social interaction.

Affective Tutoring Systems

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 75-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nik Thompson ◽  
Tanya Jane McGill
Keyword(s):  
Affective Computing ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Complex Interplay ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Tutoring Systems ◽  
User Input ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Potential Benefits

This paper introduces the field of affective computing, and the benefits that can be realized by enhancing e-learning applications with the ability to detect and respond to emotions experienced by the learner. Affective computing has potential benefits for all areas of computing where the computer replaces or mediates face to face communication. The particular relevance of affective computing to e-learning, due to the complex interplay between emotions and the learning process, is considered along with the need for new theories of learning that incorporate affect. Some of the potential means for inferring users’ affective state are also reviewed. These can be broadly categorized into methods that involve the user’s input, and methods that acquire the information independent of any user input. This latter category is of particular interest as these approaches have the potential for more natural and unobtrusive implementation, and it includes techniques such as analysis of vocal patterns, facial expressions or physiological state. The paper concludes with a review of prominent affective tutoring systems and promotes future directions for e-learning that capitalize on the strengths of affective computing.

Laboratory Methods for Determining Temperature Preference

1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 749-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. McCauley
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Gradient ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Thermal Gradients ◽  
Temperature Preference ◽  
Laboratory Methods ◽  
Preferred Temperature ◽  
Laboratory Techniques ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Temperature Preferences

Different types of temperature-gradient devices used in the laboratory to determine temperature preferences of fish are classified and reviewed. The type of device used seems to have less effect on experimental results than do other variables such as age, size, season, physiological state, or social interactions. Key words: preferred temperature, thermal gradients, thermoregulation, behavioral, gradient devices, laboratory techniques

Making the World Safe for our Children: Down-regulating Defence and Up-regulating Social Engagement to ‘Optimise’ the Human Experience

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen W. Porges
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Human Experience ◽  
Polyvagal Theory ◽  
Defense Systems ◽  
The World ◽  
Behavioral States

The Polyvagal Theory helps us understand how cues of risk and safety, which are continuously monitored by our nervous system, influence our physiological and behavioral states. The theory emphasizes that humans are on a quest to calm neural defense systems by detecting features of safety. This quest is initiated at birth when the infant needs for being soothed are dependent on the caregiver. The quest continues throughout the lifespan with needs for trusting friendships and loving partnerships to effectively co-regulate each other. The Polyvagal Theory proposes that through the process of evolution, social connectedness evolved as the primary biological imperative for mammals in their quest for survival. Functionally, social connectedness enabled proximity and co-regulation of physiological state between conspecifics starting with the mother-infant relationship and extending through the lifespan with other significant partners. The theory explains why feeling safe requires a unique set of cues to the nervous system that are not equivalent to physical safety or the removal of threat. The theory emphasizes the importance of safety cues emanating through reciprocal social interactions that dampen defense and how these cues can be distorted or optimized by environmental and bodily cues.

scholarly journals Female plumage colour influences seasonal oxidative damage and testosterone profiles in a songbird

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 20130539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maren N. Vitousek ◽  
Rosemary A. Stewart ◽  
Rebecca J. Safran
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Damage ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Mate Selection ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Plumage Colour ◽  
Physiological Measures ◽  
Social Mechanism ◽  
Physiological Constraints ◽  
Barn Swallows

Across diverse taxa, morphological traits mediate social interactions and mate selection. Physiological constraints on signal elaboration have been widely documented, but the potential for trait display to influence physiological state remains poorly understood. We tested for the presence of causal links between ventral plumage colour—a trait known to covary with reproductive performance—and physiological measures in female North American barn swallows, Hirundo rustica erythrogaster . Naturally darker swallows have lower levels of plasma oxidative damage. Females manipulated to display darker ventral plumage during reproduction rapidly decreased oxidative damage, adopting the physiological state of naturally darker individuals. These results support the presence of a social mechanism that links static plumage traits with the physiological state of their bearer during trait advertisement, long after the completion of signal development.

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