My avatar and me – Gender and personality predictors of avatar-self discrepancy

This study examined the influence of gender, the Big 5 personality factors, and self-esteem on virtual self-representation in the form of avatar-self discrepancy. To examine this, participants designed characters to play in a video game, spent 20 min playing the video game, and then had their actual pictures taken. Our results indicated that, consistent with predictions, men and women generally selected self-representations consistent with ideal male and female bodies. This finding was pronounced for men and women high in agreeableness. Conversely, some results contradicted the normative prescriptions often associated with self-presentation. For instance, men did not build taller avatars than did women. Men who were high in openness to new experiences were more likely to select avatars with skin tone variations. Introverts – both male and female – and women high in neuroticism were more likely to build attractive avatars. Moreover, those with low self-esteem were more likely to select lighter skin tones than those with high self-esteem. Thus, the effects of gender and personality have considerable implications for online self-presentation and self-representation.

► We examined the influence of gender, personality, and self-esteem on avatar creation.
► Men and women created avatars consistent with ideal male and female bodies.
► However, men did not create avatars that were taller compared to women.
► Introverts, male and female, and neurotic women selected more attractive avatars.
► Participants with low self-esteem picked avatars with lighter skin tones.