@phdthesis{Brill2019,
  author    = {Brill, Michael},
  title     = {Spontaneous eye blinks as an alternative measure for spatial presence experiences},
  edition   = {1. Auflage},
  publisher = {W{\"u}rzburg University Press},
  address   = {W{\"u}rzburg},
  isbn      = {978-3-95826-094-8},
  doi       = {10.25972/WUP-978-3-95826-095-5},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-167898},
  school      = {W{\"u}rzburg University Press},
  pages     = {xvi, 265},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Spatial presence, a state in which media users temporarily overlook the mediated nature of their media use experience, is frequently assessed by means of post-session self-report scales. However, such methods have methodical limitations, for example concerning measurement of dynamic fluctuations in presence during media use. Consequently, researchers have tested several approaches that try to infer subjective experiences of spatial presence from objectively measurable indicators. The present doctoral thesis examines aspects of temporal structure in spontaneous eye-blink behavior. Cognitive processes—and especially attention—are seen as essential antecedents of presence experiences. Because such cognitive processes influence timing of spontaneous eye-blinks, it is tested if the degree of stimulus-dependent structure in spontaneous eye-blink behavior is related to presence self-report scores. To address this research question, the thesis first establishes a theoretical framework, including theorizing and empirical findings on presence, on related media use phenomena, spontaneous eye-blink behavior, and subjective and objective approaches for presence assessment. Then, three experiments are presented that examine the relation between self-reported presence, and amount of stimulus-dependent structure in blinking behavior. Three different methods for quantification of stimulus-dependent structure are tested in different media environments, and are related to an established presence scale. Discussion of the experimental findings leads, on the one hand, to fundamental questions on the presence concept and on the understanding of stimulus-dependent structure in spontaneous eye-blink behavior. On the other hand, interpretation of the results emphasizes the necessity for methods with appropriate temporal resolution, that consider both media events and user behavior.},
  subject      = {Lidschlag},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Schneider2024,
  author    = {Schneider, Florian Alexander},
  title     = {Voice Assistants are Social Actors - An Empirical Analysis of Media Equation Effects in Human-Voice Assistant Interaction},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-34670},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-346704},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {Ownership and usage of personal voice assistant devices like Amazon Echo or Google Home have increased drastically over the last decade since their market launch. This thesis builds upon existing computers are social actors (CASA) and media equation research that is concerned with humans displaying social reactions usually exclusive to human-human interaction when interacting with media and technological devices. CASA research has been conducted with a variety of technological devices such as desktop computers, smartphones, embodied virtual agents, and robots. However, despite their increasing popularity, little empirical work has been done to examine social reactions towards these personal stand-alone voice assistant devices, also referred to as smart speakers. Thus, this dissertation aims to adopt the CASA approach to empirically evaluate social responses to smart speakers. With this goal in mind, four laboratory experiments with a total of 407 participants have been conducted for this thesis. Results show that participants display a wide range of social reactions when interacting with voice assistants. This includes the utilization of politeness strategies such as the interviewer-bias, which led to participants giving better evaluations directly to a smart speaker device compared to a separate computer. Participants also displayed prosocial behavior toward a smart speaker after interdependence and thus a team affiliation had been induced. In a third study, participants applied gender stereotypes to a smart speaker not only in self-reports but also exhibited conformal behavior patterns based on the voice the device used. In a fourth and final study, participants followed the rule of reciprocity and provided help to a smart speaker device that helped them in a prior interaction. This effect was also moderated by subjects' personalities, indicating that individual differences are relevant for CASA research. Consequently, this thesis provides strong empirical support for a voice assistants are social actors paradigm. This doctoral dissertation demonstrates the power and utility of this research paradigm for media psychological research and shows how considering voice assistant devices as social actors lead to a more profound understanding of voice-based technology. The findings discussed in this thesis also have implications for these devices that need to be carefully considered both in future research as well as in practical design.},
  subject      = {Mensch-Maschine-Kommunikation},
  language  = {en}
}