Virtual Reality and Humanity Attribution: The Role of Interoceptive Bodily Awareness

In this study, we explored the role individual differences in interoceptive awareness, i.e. the ability to perceive and interpret internal body signals, in the attribution of human characteristics to virtual humans (VHs). Starting from a definition of consciousness rooted in the ability to perceive body signals that mediates the "feeling of what happens" around us, we evaluated the effect of this ability on the sense of social presence, individual presence and emotional responses elicited by VHs. We also assessed whether emotional responses were affected by gender and age of VHs. The results confirmed that interoception plays an important role in the attribution of human characteristics to VHs (social presence), in emotional responses towards them and in the feeling of being situated in virtual space (individual presence). Thus, interoceptive awareness is crucial for enhancing engagement, emotional connection, and perceived realism in virtual environments. Moreover, emotional responses were modulated by gender and age of VHs. The theoretical implications are discussed.