Actual self vs. avatar self: The effects of social contexts on self-expression

Abstract

This paper investigates whether online social contexts can prime individuals to create avatars that emphasize particular characteristics and personality traits that are different from their actual selves. The results show that while the participants’ avatar personality ratings are correlated with their own personality ratings across the Big-Five personality dimensions, they still try to express personality characteristics that are somewhat different from their actual selves in virtual environment. Further, with respect to the relationship between avatar personality ratings (given by creators) and those by zero-acquaintances, no significant relationships were observed (with the exception of the Agreeableness dimension).