Face masks reduce interpersonal distance in virtual reality

Abstract

During the Covid-19 pandemic several behavioral measures have been implemented to reduce viral transmission. While these measures reduce the risk of infections, they may also increase risk behavior. Here, we experimentally investigate the influence of face masks on physical distancing. Eighty-four participants with or without face masks passed virtual agents in a supermarket environment to reach a target while interpersonal distance was recorded. Agents differed in wearing face masks and age (young, elderly). In addition, situational constraints varied in whether keeping a distance of 1.5 m required an effortful detour or not. Wearing face masks (both self and other) reduced physical distancing. This reduction was most prominent when keeping the recommended distance was effortful, suggesting an influence of situational constraints. Similarly, increased distances to elderly were only observed when keeping a recommended distance was effortless. These findings highlight contextual constraints in compensation behavior and have important implications for safety policies.

Stay away from me: Coughing increases social distance even in a virtual environment

“…An autonomous-behavior generation function that reflects coughing etiquette, e.g., covering one’s mouth/nose with a tissue/elbow, also mitigates negative impressions toward immediate coughing behaviors. Placing a mask on the agent’s mouth is also effective [ 21 ].…”

“…The COVID-19 pandemic is changing our lifestyles, especially distancing behaviors [ 6 , 7 ]. Several studies have reported that people’s distancing behaviors have even changed in virtual environments where no infection risks are possible [ 8 , 21 ], suggesting that the changes of people’s lifestyles in physical environments influence their behaviors in virtual environments. Since coughing is a typical way to spread a virus by expelling germs into the environment [ 23 , 24 ], people might choose to maintain a distance from those who are coughing.…”

“…However, these studies less focused on the relationships between infection-related behaviors and the appearances of agents. Although a past study investigated the effects of mask-wearing virtual agents [ 21 ], it only used human-appearance virtual agents. Thus, when there is no risk of infection, it remains unknown how people in a virtual environment will react to a virtual agent with a non-human-like appearance (i.e., robot-like) and whether they will keep a shorter distance in the context of infection avoidance.…”