The Effect of Two Different Types of Human-Computer Interactions on User's Emotion in Virtual Counseling Environment

Previous studies have suggested that different types of human-computer interactions (HCI) have different impact on use's emotional responses in virtual environment. In this study, we investigat the effects of two different types of HCI, including controller-based interaction and speech-based interaction, on user's emotion in a virtual counseling environment. To achieve this end, we first develop a virtual counseling environment which enable each participant acted as a counselor to help a depressed virtual woman. We then assess the emotional intensity of each participant after they experienced 20-30 minutes' consultation in either controller-based or speech-based interaction condition. Our results show that, although there is no significant difference in emotional intensity between two different interaction conditions, participants in speech-based condition show relatively stronger emotion than these in controller-based condition.