September 17, 2025Journal of Material CultureOpen Access

Becoming otter: Avatars and the crafting of the self in social virtual reality

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Ethnographic research highlights how avatars enhance self-perception in social virtual reality, suggesting new dimensions of identity.

Avatars serve as powerful extensions of self, enriching the user's sense of identity and authenticity in virtual spaces.
Through ethnography in VRChat, the study reveals avatars can act as 'second skins' that deeply connect users to their virtual identities.
The crafting of self in social virtual reality (SVR) facilitates not only self-exploration but also intimate engagement with one's true self.
The findings challenge existing literature by emphasizing authenticity and unity over mere exploration in virtual environments.

Berliner et al. (2025) studied this question.

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