Just how real is virtual reality? A recent study on avatars in a virtual environment shows the extent that our physical selves can be fused with customized versions.
When gamers create personalized representations of themselves, the challenges and joy that their avatars encounter can have real physical and emotional effects. To find out just how important that customization factor is, communications researchers did a study with 121 college-aged participants.
14. This article doesn't specifically discuss online identity but it does examine our relationship with and attachment to the avatars we create online and how they reflect and influence us. I think this is important because it alludes to the idea that our avatars are generally a representation of us or who we'd like to be and talks about how we relate to them. I trust the opinions reflected in the article because it references several sources, as well as having been posted on a reputable site.