From Authenticity to Masked Performing: The Effects of Avatar Setting on Open-mindedness

Metaverse meetings have emerged as a new approach to facilitate creative teamwork. However, prior research on metaverse meetings mostly views them as new communication mediums, and little is known about how hyper-realistic avatar design impacts individual open-mindedness. In practice, avatars can be customized to either mirror the real world with realistic avatars or reflect the alternate virtual world with idealized avatars. Combining self-discrepancy and performing theories, we propose that the mechanisms of role performing are what differentiate avatar interactions from real-face interactions. By conceptualizing the metaverse as an acting stage, we also identify how standpoint settings complement the effects of avatars through different perspective taking. A controlled laboratory experiment is scheduled to test the research model. This paper can provide a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of realistic and different levels of idealized avatars on individual open-mindedness and offer guidance on metaverse design and usage in enhancing more open mindsets. Copyright © 2025 by Association for Information Systems (AIS). All rights reserved.