Multimodal technologies and interaction, Nov 21, 2023
Several studies have researched how people can use the anonymity of the Internet to explore diffe... more Several studies have researched how people can use the anonymity of the Internet to explore different aspects of their identity. There are many different platforms where one can create a "virtual self" by actively choosing how one presents themselves to others, and each one is designed with different characteristics depending on their purpose: from socialization to professional networking or even entertainment. Different studies have usually focused on specific platforms, but there is no one comparing how people construe their virtual self across different online environments. In this review, we aimed to synthesize research studies carried out about the construal of one's identity within online platforms and how it can relate to different aspects of participants' offline identity, such as their self-esteem or self-concept clarity. Data were gathered from 34 publications that researched this topic across different kinds of online platforms. We conducted a quality assessment and a narrative synthesis, reporting and comparing the main findings, as well as identifying possible gaps in the literature. Many studies have explored the idea of people creating either an idealized or accurate version of themselves when construing their online identities. Others have also contemplated the possibility of exploring identities that diverge from both the actual and the ideal self or even an actively negative one. The latter was studied more in the context of video games and other avatarmediated worlds. We found that people with low self-esteem create a more idealized virtual identity rather than a virtual self that is similar to their offline self. Other variables such as the purpose for using the online platform or self-concept clarity also had a role in virtual self construal, although the latter was only studied in the context of social media.
Personal and Virtual Identities in Digital Environments: a Scoping Review
With this review, the authors aim to explore the extension of the current literature about identi... more With this review, the authors aim to explore the extension of the current literature about identity construal in virtual environments, the different kinds of studies made on the subject, and the possible gaps that may exist in it. They also intend to provide debriefing on the different findings described by previous publications on the subject of virtual identity.
Aloma: Revista de Psicologia, Ciències de l'Educació i de l'Esport
The aim of this project is to study the role that online videogames play in the way people build ... more The aim of this project is to study the role that online videogames play in the way people build their identities. More specifically, the project is intended to study how people use online videogames and virtual avatars to explore alternative identities. It is possible for people to manifest entirely different versions of themselves through their virtual characters. Sometimes, those alternative identities may be a projection of what players consider ideal versions of themselves. Several variables may strengthen or hinder this capacity to project the ideal self onto a customizable “virtual self”. Some of these factors are inherent to the individual, while others may be more related to the specific game they play. The repertory grid technique will be used to explore online videogame players’ construct systems and to understand their need to explore alternative identities through their videogame characters. Other instruments will also be administrated to measure the degree of immersion...
Multimodal technologies and interaction, Nov 21, 2023
Several studies have researched how people can use the anonymity of the Internet to explore diffe... more Several studies have researched how people can use the anonymity of the Internet to explore different aspects of their identity. There are many different platforms where one can create a "virtual self" by actively choosing how one presents themselves to others, and each one is designed with different characteristics depending on their purpose: from socialization to professional networking or even entertainment. Different studies have usually focused on specific platforms, but there is no one comparing how people construe their virtual self across different online environments. In this review, we aimed to synthesize research studies carried out about the construal of one's identity within online platforms and how it can relate to different aspects of participants' offline identity, such as their self-esteem or self-concept clarity. Data were gathered from 34 publications that researched this topic across different kinds of online platforms. We conducted a quality assessment and a narrative synthesis, reporting and comparing the main findings, as well as identifying possible gaps in the literature. Many studies have explored the idea of people creating either an idealized or accurate version of themselves when construing their online identities. Others have also contemplated the possibility of exploring identities that diverge from both the actual and the ideal self or even an actively negative one. The latter was studied more in the context of video games and other avatarmediated worlds. We found that people with low self-esteem create a more idealized virtual identity rather than a virtual self that is similar to their offline self. Other variables such as the purpose for using the online platform or self-concept clarity also had a role in virtual self construal, although the latter was only studied in the context of social media.
Personal and Virtual Identities in Digital Environments: a Scoping Review
With this review, the authors aim to explore the extension of the current literature about identi... more With this review, the authors aim to explore the extension of the current literature about identity construal in virtual environments, the different kinds of studies made on the subject, and the possible gaps that may exist in it. They also intend to provide debriefing on the different findings described by previous publications on the subject of virtual identity.
Aloma: Revista de Psicologia, Ciències de l'Educació i de l'Esport
The aim of this project is to study the role that online videogames play in the way people build ... more The aim of this project is to study the role that online videogames play in the way people build their identities. More specifically, the project is intended to study how people use online videogames and virtual avatars to explore alternative identities. It is possible for people to manifest entirely different versions of themselves through their virtual characters. Sometimes, those alternative identities may be a projection of what players consider ideal versions of themselves. Several variables may strengthen or hinder this capacity to project the ideal self onto a customizable “virtual self”. Some of these factors are inherent to the individual, while others may be more related to the specific game they play. The repertory grid technique will be used to explore online videogame players’ construct systems and to understand their need to explore alternative identities through their videogame characters. Other instruments will also be administrated to measure the degree of immersion...
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Papers by Adrià Gabarnet