Marie Postma
Papers
6
Total Citations
67
H-Index
4
About
Marie Postma investigates the intersection of virtual reality, human-computer interaction, and affective computing, with a focus on how the appearance of virtual animal characters influences human empathy, immersion, and emotional connection. Her major contributions center on understanding the "uncanny valley" effect in virtual animals—showing that robotic versus non-robotic appearances significantly shape user perception and engagement. In her most-cited work (40 citations), she demonstrates that game character appearance directly impacts empathy and immersion, offering design principles for more emotionally resonant virtual experiences. Her research on wild animal embodiment in VR explores using immersive technology as an "affective machine" to foster conservation empathy, while her studies on virtual instructors reveal the potential of robot animals in educational settings. Postma’s work has practical implications for serious games, wildlife conservation, and personalized instruction, with cumulative citations approaching 70. Her innovative approach—merging experimental psychology with VR design—positions her as a leading voice in creating emotionally intelligent virtual characters that bridge the gap between human and animal experience.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2
- 3The uncanny valley of a virtual animal8 citations · 2022
- 4The Uncanny Valley of the Virtual (Animal) Robot5 citations · 2019
- 5The Effectiveness of a Robot Animal as a Virtual Instructor2 citations · 2021
- 6