Exploring the Effect of VR-based Social Interaction Tasks on Face Perception
Poster Session F - Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 8:00 – 10:00 am EDT, Back Bay Ballroom/Republic Ballroom
Shengtong Liu1 (shengtong.liu@manchester.ac.uk), Boris Otkhmezuri1, Rebecca Elliott1, Karen Lander1; 1University of Manchester
Introduction: Social anxiety, which affects approximately 13% of the population, is characterised by visual avoidance of eye contact and faces. While VR has been applied across various realms, its potential to influence face perception in behavioural research is underexplored. This study investigates the relationship between social anxiety and face perception and explores the effect of VR-based social interaction tasks on face perception and social anxiety. Methods: In Study 1, participants (N = 144) were recruited. Social anxiety was measured and face perception was assessed. In Study 2, participants (N = 144) were divided into an experimental group and a control group (N = 20 each). The experimental group completed six weekly VR tasks featuring progressively more challenging social scenarios (e.g., ordering at a coffee shop, public speaking), with physiological data (pulse rate, eye movement) recorded as well as social anxiety scales and face perception. The control group completed only the scales and face tests. Results: In Study 1, findings showed a significant negative correlation between face memory and social anxiety. In Study 2, we have established the feasibility of using a VR methodology in this context. Our results show changes in participants’ pulse rates and eye movements during the VR-based social interaction tasks and initial analysis suggest changes in social anxiety and face perception across testing sessions in the experimental group. Conclusion: These results suggest social anxiety impairs face memory. Further, we highlight the potential use of VR to improve social and cognitive functioning in socially anxious individuals
Topic Area: PERCEPTION & ACTION: Other