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

本研究着重探讨虚拟形象的外观和行为的文化适应的重要性。我们进行了一系列的跨文化实验，以调查在解释化身面部表情的文化差异。第一个实验（2008年）的结果表明，在西方国家和日本之间存在着对化身面部表情感知的文化差异。第二个和第三个实验（2009-10）的结果表明，用于解释化身面孔的面部区域也存在文化差异。日本人专注于眼睛，而匈牙利人专注于嘴巴。除了文化化的面部表情，我们的实验结果表明，化身的文化化行为也提高了化身的友好性和熟悉度（2010）。

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).