A study has found that standing on a virtual stage in a ‘room’ with digital eyes can affect the body as if the event was taking place in person.
The study, published by Michigan State University’s Department of Communication, examined how audience feedback in immersive virtual reality affects public speakers’ biological and behavioural responses.
The project was led by Ralf Schmälzle and Gary Bente, professors, department of communication and researchers, Michigan State University’s Centre for Avatar Research and Immersive Social Media Applications, in collaboration with Sue Lim, Purdue University, and supported by the National Science Foundation.
Immersive VR technology was used, where the team measured speakers’ physiological reactions, emotional responses, and communication behaviours in real time. Participants delivered speeches in front of a digital audience composed of avatars programmed to display either supportive or unsupportive feedback.
The researchers tracked speakers’ heart rates, breathing patterns, voice and speech characteristics, as well as brain activity patterns. Motion capture technology was also used to analyse nonverbal expressiveness.
The findings revealed that the unsupportive digital agents, avatars that were designed to appear distracted or hostile, triggered significant spikes in anxiety and physiological stress. Speakers facing negative cues reported greater discomfort and also exhibited measurable biological changes.
In some cases, the speaking rate of presenters was slowed, suggesting that audience feedback loops, even in virtual settings, can alter communication performance.
The findings discovered that those unsupportive digital agents, which were designed to appear distracted or hostile, triggered significant spikes in anxiety and physiological stress. Speakers facing these negative cues reported greater discomfort, as well as measurable biological changes. In some cases, their speaking rate slowed, suggesting that audience feedback loops in virtual settings can meaningfully alter communication performance.
Ralf Schmälzle, professors, department of communication and researchers, Michigan State University, commented: “In an era where AI-driven avatars and intelligent agents are about to explode across our digital landscape, mastering the ancient art of public speaking and responding appropriately to these communication feedback loops is absolutely essential.
"Our research provides a blueprint for the metaverse, ensuring that next-generation virtual ecosystems are designed to foster effective social interaction.”