Effects of virtual agent gender on user performance and preference in a VR training program

Abstract

This paper presents findings of a small-scale exploratory study that investigated effects of virtual agent gender on user performance and preference in a virtual reality (VR) training program. During the study, twelve participants, predominantly young male adults (10 males, average age 24 years), took part in a customized Box and Blocks Test (BBT), where virtual female and male agents instructed them to quickly move specific color cubes from one side of the table to the other side of the table. Although, on average, the male-dominated sample performed better with the male agent than the female agent, with respect to task completion time, error rate, and error correction time, no significant difference was identified. There was also no significant effect of agent gender on preference, perceived helpfulness, and perceived professionalism. However, interestingly, significantly more participants found the female agent more attractive than the male agent, presumably due to the male-dominated sample.