Abstract
Avatar embodiment defines the technologically induced illusion of seeing an avatar in the location where one's own physical body is normally experienced and having control over its body movements. There is large empirical evidence to support that embodying an avatar leads to important attitudinal, behavioral, and cognitive changes. These transformations can be used to improve health and psychological well-being. In this chapter, I first explain the phenomenon of avatar embodiment and the principal technologies that are used to create it. I then review the principal findings that demonstrate how avatar embodiment experiences cause cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioral modifications as well as the principal theories that explain why these effects occur. Next, I introduce the potential of avatar embodiment experiences to enhance mental health and summarize the principal studies in the field. Finally, I propose future research directions that should be explored to maximize the potential of avatar embodiment to improve mental health.
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