What is the Social impacts of augmented reality?
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Summary
10 papers analyzed
Some studies suggest augmented reality can improve task performance, learning gains, retail experiences, decision-making, and physical activity, while other studies indicate it may reduce social connection, increase distracted driving, and raise privacy concerns.
20 papers analyzed
Introduction
Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information onto the real world, enhancing the user's perception and interaction with their environment. While AR has been extensively studied for its usability and educational benefits, its social impacts are less understood. This synthesis aims to explore the various social implications of AR as reported in recent research.
Key Insights
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Social Facilitation and Inhibition:
- AR can replicate social facilitation and inhibition effects, where simple tasks are performed better and complex tasks worse in the presence of virtual agents.
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Nonverbal Behavior:
- Users tend to avoid sitting on virtual agents and choose paths that do not require turning their heads away from these agents, indicating a significant impact on nonverbal behavior.
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Social Connectedness:
- AR users report feeling less socially connected to non-AR users during interactions, suggesting a potential social cost of using AR in mixed-reality settings.
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User Experience in Retail:
- AR significantly enhances user experience in retail by improving perceptions of product quality, which in turn increases user satisfaction and willingness to buy.
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Ethical and Privacy Concerns:
- Pervasive AR technology raises ethical issues such as privacy, commercial exploitation, and digital inequality, which need to be addressed as AR becomes more widespread.
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Safety and Health:
- Location-based AR games like Pokémon GO can promote physical activity and social interactions but also lead to distracted and unsafe behaviors such as driving and cycling while using the app.
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Social Presence and Interaction:
- Visual effects in AR can improve the social presence and physicality of virtual humans, influencing users' attention and social behaviors.
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Digital Social Interaction in Fitness:
- AR can enhance digital social interactions in mobile fitness applications, potentially improving user engagement and motivation.
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Sociability and Entertainment:
- While AR applications are recognized for their entertainment value, they do not necessarily increase perceived sociability or social behavior, and may even cause a conflict between virtual and real-world interactions.
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Helping Behavior:
- AR can influence prosocial behaviors by altering situation perception and increasing the perceived reasons for helping, although it may also create disagreements about agency and responsibility.
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Mobility and Collaboration:
- The mobility of wearable AR systems can lead to increased collaborative applications and integration with other devices, but also raises concerns about tracking accuracy and personal privacy.
Conclusion
The social impacts of augmented reality are multifaceted, affecting task performance, nonverbal behavior, social connectedness, user experience, and safety. While AR offers significant benefits in enhancing user experience and promoting physical activity, it also presents challenges such as reduced social connection, ethical concerns, and potential safety risks. As AR technology continues to evolve, it is crucial to address these social implications to maximize its benefits while mitigating its drawbacks.
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