Kocur, MartinSchwind, ValentinHenze, Niels2019-09-052019-09-052019https://dl.gi.de/handle/20.500.12116/25214Virtual Reality (VR) allows us to perceive the world through any possible embodiment – the avatar. Behavioral changes due to the strong bond between the user and the virtual avatar is known as Proteus Effect. Previous work found that the Proteus Effect occurs when characteristics of the appearance are associated with knowledge and experiences gained by anticipated entities or stereotypes. Based on the findings that the Proteus Effect can trigger behavioral changes, we hypothesize that the appearance of an avatar in VR can be manipulated in a way that users will perform tasks better than they would perform them using their real or any casual embodiment. As one of the most important human behavioral characteristics is exerting force, we are planning to conduct a study investigating if muscular or wispy avatars are able to change physical forces of the physical self. Our hypothesis is that people will apply more force when they interact in a more powerful-looking appearance. An effect would have far-reaching consequences and implications for the interactions with avatars in HCI and VR.enproteus effectbody ownership illusionvirtual embodimentmotion capturingvirtual avatarText/Workshop Paper10.18420/muc2019-ws-584