Abstract
Unprecedented rendering-realism drives users' desires to hide perceived flaws with beautified self-avatars. Yet, extant literature on avatar beautification, reveals positive and negative consequences; lacking theoretical elucidation, which circumstances induce positive or negative consequences. To fill this gap, we reviewed 26 empirical studies. Negative outcomes of avatar beautification include gaming disorder, body image dissatisfaction and self-sexualisation; positive consequences include improved social behaviour and enjoyment, and healthy body and appearance management. We find the consequences' valence depends on whether someone else beautifies the avatars, the duration of the interaction, and whether they are used in a gaming or task-focused context. We synthesise mechanisms from the Proteus Effect and Self-Discrepancy Theory developing a deeper theoretical under-standing of the phenomenon.
Recommended Citation
Holtzwart, Rosa; Seeger, Anna-maria; and Heinzl, Armin, "The Price of Perfection: A Literature Review on Positive and Unintended Negative Consequences of Avatar Beautification" (2025). SIGHCI 2024 Proceedings. 18.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/sighci2024/18
