| Interpersonal Scenarios: Virtual � Real? (2008) | |||||||||||||||||
Abstract | |||||||||||||||||
| This paper reports on a study to examine the similarities and differences in experiencing an interpersonal scenario with real and virtual humans. A system that allows medical students to interview a life-size virtual patient using natural speech and gestures was used as a platform for this comparison. Study participants interviewed either a virtual patient or a standardized patient, an actor trained to represent a medical condition. Subtle yet substantial differences were found in the participants ’ rapport with the patient and the flow of the conversation. The virtual patient’s limited expressiveness was a significant source of these differences. However, overall task performance was similar, as were perceptions of the educational value of the interaction. | |||||||||||||||||
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