Collective Embodiment, or the Social Nature of the Sense of Embodiment in Social VR
Eugene Kukshinov, Lennart E. Nacke · 2025
In Social Virtual Reality (SVR), mediated social communication blends with simulated virtual environments and bodies.However, little is known about how these social and physical (or embodied) affordances intersect in user experiences.We bridge this research gap by applying phenomenological analysis to SVR user interviews to reveal embodiment in SVR based on their lived experiences.We contribute empirical evidence to the concept of "collective embodiment, " described as a mutually maintained feeling of embodiment that SVR provides beyond individual experiences and avatar-related sensations.This involves intertwined senses of agency, location, and appearance influenced by the presence and actions of others in the virtual environment.We also observed SVR users' difficulties controlling avatar visual representations and communication or social functions.This research uncovers the multifaceted nature of collective embodiment in SVR, offering insights into its social dynamics, design, and user experience implications.