Artificial facial mimicry (AFM) is increasingly used to enhance social interaction with virtual agents in immersive virtual reality. However, its psychological and ethical implications remain insufficiently explored. This article conceptualizes AFM as an effective and embodied intervention, examining the role of emotional congruence, individual differences, and clinical vulnerability in shaping user responses. We further outline methodological directions involving physiological measures and embodied coordination. By framing AFM within affective computing and embodied cognition, this work contributes to the responsible design of emotionally adaptive virtual agents.
Elena Piscopo (Thu,) studied this question.