Effect of non-human avatars on opinion convergence in remote spoken interactions

Opinion convergence in spoken interactions is influenced by various factors, such as interlocutor traits, social identity, and context [Pardo, 2022, JPhon 95]. Previous studies on communication via Zoom conferences have reported that differences in opinion can affect visual cues in vowel productions [Ma et al., 2023, HISPCSL]. However, there is a general lack of understanding of how technology-mediated communication affects opinion convergence. This study investigated whether the availability of visual cues in online video communication has an effect on opinion convergence between people. We collected data from fifty college students (aged 18–30, with an average age of 19.96) who were randomly paired into 25 groups to participate in a 20-min Zoom discussion on a range of debatable propositions. The discussions were conducted using two conditions: no camera (black screen) or fox avatars set up by Zoom. Participants' opinions on the propositions were measured before and after the discussion. We will measure whether a difference in avatar vs. non-avatar conditions impacts the level of opinion convergence between pairs of speakers by comparing the changes in the levels of convergence between before and after conversations. Implications for the general effects of technology-mediated communication on opinion formation and convergence will be discussed.