Non-Responsive Virtual Humans for Self-Report Assessments

Anonymous computer-based assessments are used to collect sensitive data in self-report assessments. However they lack human element for building rapport with users. Anonymous rapport building responsive virtual humans (VHs) are known to increase users' willingness to disclose honest information in self-report assessments. However, implementing responsive VHs is a complex task. It requires modeling verbal and nonverbal user behaviors in realtime and generating appropriate responses to address these behaviors. In our work, we investigate the use of non-responsive VHs as middle-ground between computers and responsive VHs to conduct self-report assessments. Prior research has shown that non-responsive VHs, which are unaware of users' behavior, can provide task-related support. We conducted a user study to evaluate the usability of non-responsive VHs to conduct self-report assessment. We also compared users' reported impression management and fear of negative evaluation with computer-based assessment to measure users' willingness to disclose honest information. We found that participants reported significantly higher usability for VH based assessment. Moreover, participants' willingness to disclose honest information with VH was same as in computer-based assessment. We conclude that non-responsive VHs can be used to improve user experience during time consuming self-report assessments.