Exploration des effets de l'incarnation, de la nature d’avatar et de ses proportions sur le jugement temporel en réalité virtuelle

Abstract

Time perception in virtual reality (VR) is a subjective phenomenon influenced by multiple factors, including the embodiment of avatars. This study examines how avatar nature (human vs. Godzilla-like monster) and bodily proportions (human-like vs. Godzilla-like) affect time perception across two distinct phases: a passive waiting phase and an active walking phase. Nineteen participants were immersed in VR, embodying four avatars combining these different characteristics, while their level of embodiment and perception of time were assessed. Results show that embodiment scores were generally high across all conditions but significantly higher for human avatars than for Godzilla avatars. This suggests that avatars resembling the participant’s actual morphology enhance the sense of embodiment. However, time perception was differentially affected depending on the avatar’s proportions. During the waiting phase, participants underestimated time more when embodying avatars with humanlike proportions compared to those with Godzilla-like proportions. This finding suggests that bodily proportions consistent with the real body influence temporal experience. In contrast, during the walking phase, time underestimation was generally more pronounced, but differences between avatars were less distinct. The results also indicate that the more participants underestimated time, the faster they perceived it to pass, and the less they thought about time during the experience. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the impact of VR embodiment on time perception. Highlighting the influence of bodily proportions on temporal perception, this study suggests that using avatars with human-like proportions could help modulate users’ time experience in VR.

Date	24 Mar 2025
Original language	French
Awarding Institution	École de technologie supérieure
Supervisor	David Labbé (Supervisor)