The measurement of interpersonal interactions with continuous spatiotemporal data: Application to a study of the effects of resource competition on racial group interactions

Abstract

We describe a sequential qualitative ➔ quantitative mixed-method procedure used to construct conceptually grounded quantitative metrics of interpersonal behavior from continuous spatiotemporal data. Metrics were developed from data collected during an experiment in which racially diverse participants interacted with self-resembling avatars at social events hosted in the virtual world Second Life. In the qualitative stage, the researchers conceptualized four distinct patterns of movement from overhead video recreations of participants interacting during the social events. In the quantitative stage, these patterns of movement were operationalized into metrics to reflect each type of observed interpersonal behavior. The metrics were normalized through a series of transformations, and construct validity was assessed through correlations with self-report measures of intergroup behavior. Finally, the metrics were applied to an analysis of the virtual-world study examining the influence of resource competition on racial group interactions. The findings contribute to our understanding of the influence of resource competition on Blacks', Asians', and Whites' group dynamics. Applications of these metrics for the future of the psychological study of interpersonal behavior are discussed.

Racial embodiment in virtual environments for facilitating students’ understanding of racism.

“…For example, avatars (i.e., first-person perspective characters operated by the user) tended to hold realistic interpersonal distances, initiating interactions at approximately 5 virtual meters, and moving closer for more personal engagement (Friedman et al, 2007). Relevant to our study is research finding that avatars' racial appearance impacts social interactions (Eastwick & Gardner, 2009;Tawa et al, 2015Tawa et al, , 2020Vang & Fox, 2014); for example, avatars were more likely to comply with a request for a favor when approached by White compared to Black avatars (Eastwick & Gardner, 2009). Social justice educators may be particularly interested in the potential for virtual environments to offer students' embodiment experiences or interactive social experiences while operating an avatar with a visible identity that is different from one's own (e.g., a White person piloting a Black avatar).…”

“…A script was attached to each avatar and was used to measure social interaction, operationalized as the average number of avatars they interacted with at each 5-s interval over the duration of the trial. Conceptually, social interaction is a proxy measure of behavioral discomfort during intergroup interactions; previous research has found fewer avatar interactions during social events in Second Life to be correlated to intergroup anxiety (Tawa et al, 2020).…”

“…PVEs may be particularly appealing to platforms such as Second Life (https://www.secondlife.com) can be accessed for free and remotely in the case of distance learning. Research using PVEs have found that people's behavior in virtual environments is similar to their behavior in real-life environments (Eastwick & Gardner, 2009;Friedman et al, 2007;Hasler & Friedman, 2012;Tawa et al, 2015Tawa et al, , 2020Vang & Fox, 2014). For example, avatars (i.e., first-person perspective characters operated by the user) tended to hold realistic interpersonal distances, initiating interactions at approximately 5 virtual meters, and moving closer for more personal engagement (Friedman et al, 2007).…”

Reviewing the potentials of MMOGs as research environments: A case study from the strategy game Travian

“…If not, research in those virtual game worlds is purely an end in itself. Results suggest that in fact, many behaviors are similar in online and offline contexts [ 7 , 10 – 12 ]. Researchers have approached this question from different angles.…”