Cross-cultural study on avatar's facial expression interpretation and non-verbal behaviors

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This research focuses on the importance of cultural adaptation of avatars' appearance and behaviors. We conducted a series of cross-cultural experiments in order to investigate cultural differences in interpreting avatar facial expressions. The result of the first experiment (2008) implied there are cultural differences of perception of avatar facial expressions between Western countries and Japan. The results of the second and third experiments (2009-10) showed the facial regions used to interpret avatar faces also have cultural differences. Japanese focused on the eyes while Hungarian focused on the mouth. In addition to enculturated facial expressions, our experimental results showed enculturated behavior of avatars also improves the friendliness and familiarity of the avatar (2010).