GET STARTED A Lifespan Perspective on Trust and Self-disclosure when Interacting with Virtual Agents: The impact of Agent Realism and Cognitive Load

The aim of this project is to examine how young and older adults interact with VR agents
(i.e., human-like entities in immersive virtual reality (iVR)), specifically how characteristics of
the agent and the situation influence adults’ trust and self-disclosure towards virtual agents. As
social interactions increasingly migrate toward digital spaces, users frequently engage in
environments where the identity of their interaction partner is unknown. The perceived
anonymity of iVR can lower psychological barriers and facilitate social openness, which can
simultaneously increase the risk that sensitive private data is shared and exploited. This
vulnerability is particularly acute for older adults, whose shifting motivational priorities and
age-related changes in cognitive control may make them more susceptible to deception in the
digital space.
Traditional models of self-disclosure in social interactions highlight reciprocity—the
mutual sharing of information—as the primary driver of intimacy. Still, our understanding of
these dynamics in digital spaces remains fragmented, as prior research has focused almost
exclusively on human-to-human interactions rather than human-to-agent communication.
Furthermore, the integration of hyper-realistic social cues (e.g., MetaHuman technology)
introduces the risk of the Uncanny Valley, where near-human realism may paradoxically trigger
user discomfort. This project further investigates how the sensory-rich nature of iVR can lead
to cognitive overload, depleting a user’s self-regulatory resources, and resulting in involuntary
self-disclosure.
By studying the interplay between agent realism, situational cognitive loads, and reciprocity
in dyadic self-disclosure, this research provides high added value to the aims of FoF4. It extends
the university’s excellence in Self-Regulation and Regulation into the digital space by
investigating dyadic regulation between humans and digital entities. Also, the lifespan
perspective of FoF4 is central to the project: how privacy boundaries are maintained or
comprised in the digital space at different ages. Strategically, the project serves as a pilot for a
DFG-funded project on virtual interventions, positioning Heidelberg at the forefront of
international research on digitalization. Results will establish a sustainable research line into
inclusive digital aging, ensuring that immersive technologies are designed to be psychologically
safe and ethically sound for a diverse population.

Project Duration

01.06.2026 - 30.11.2026

Project Lead

Dr. Natalia Lipp