RESUMEN

The Metaverse, powered by a variety of key innovative technologies including 3D virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain/cryptocurrency-based non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and the Internet of Things, has been proposed as the future of a virtual universe for education, work, business, and commerce. This research (∑ N = 954) presents the results of three cross-sectional surveys that examine the influence of third-level digital (in)equality and consumer (mis)trust on Metaverse adoption intention. Study 1, focusing on the Metaverse for hybrid education, reports the mediating effect of (mis)trust in the Metaverse on the relationship between the educational dimension of third-level digital (in)equality and behavioral intention to adopt the Metaverse for virtual learning as well as the moderating effect of social phobia. Study 2, focusing on the Metaverse for remote working, reports the mediating effect of (mis)trust in the Metaverse on the relationship between the economic labor dimension of third-level digital (in)equality and Metaverse adoption for virtual working as well as the moderating effect of neo-Luddism. Study 3, focusing on the Metaverse for business, reports the mediating effect of (mis)trust in the Metaverse on the relationship between the economic commerce dimension of third-level digital (in)equality and Metaverse adoption for virtual commerce as well as the moderating effect of blockchain/cryptocurrency transparency perception. This research can provide theoretical frameworks to examine people's hopes and fears about the Metaverse and consequential adoption versus non-adoption of the Metaverse for hybrid education, hybrid remote working, and omni-channel virtual commerce. Practical, managerial, and policy implications for the Metaverse and the NFT market are also discussed.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Drawing from the terror management theory (TMT) and evolutionary perspectives of Life-History Strategy, a between-subject online experiment examined the interaction effects of pre-existing death anxiety, fear-inducing media content (coronavirus threat vs. gun violence threat vs. low threat mental disorder), and intrasexual competition for mates on online dating intentions and social distancing intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results indicate the interaction effects of participants' pre-experimental death anxiety and different types of fear-inducing media content on perceived fear and intention to use online dating websites/apps as well as the interaction effects of pre-experimental intrasexual competitiveness and fear-inducing media content on social distancing intention in the context of online dating. Theoretical contributions to the terror management literature and practical implications for the online dating industry are discussed.

RESUMEN

Drawing from social comparison theory, parasocial interaction (PSI) theory, and the literature on envy, a randomized experiment addressed the dynamics of body image, fame, and envy in the context of foodies' foodporn posting on Instagram. Using a 2 (foodie's body type: fat vs. thin) × 2 (foodie's Instagram popularity: unpopular vs. popular) between-subjects design, this experiment (N = 141) examined the effects of an Instagram foodie's body shape and popularity level on peer Instagram users' eating intention, envy, and PSI with the Instagram foodie. The results showed main effects of an Instagram foodie's body shape on peer users' eating intention, and moderating effects of users' self-esteem, body mass index, perfectionism, anorexia, and bulimia nervosa. Additionally, envy mediated the effects of the Instagram foodie's body shape and popularity on peer users' PSI with the foodie and intention to build an Instagram-based friendship. Theoretical contributions to the literature on social comparison and eating disorder and practical implications for fitspiration and social media-based health interventions are discussed.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Celebrities endorsing e-cigarette brands on social media may exert a strong influence on e-cigarette uptake. Using a between-subject experiment, this study examines the effects of endorser type (celebrities, non-celebrities and products only) in e-cigarette brand Instagram advertisements on e-cigarette attitudes and smoking intentions. Results showed that celebrity endorsers significantly increased positive attitudes towards e-cigarettes and smoking intentions, compared to non-celebrities or products only. Celebrity endorsers also rated significantly higher on trustworthiness, expertise, goodwill and attractiveness, compared to non-celebrities. Additionally, identification, social comparison, health consciousness and social networking site use moderated between endorser type and key dependent measures. Implications for e-cigarette marketing regulation are discussed.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

This study tested the effects of an online dater's profile type (open/free-spirited vs. traditional/uptight) on people's perception of the dater's trustworthiness, interpersonal attraction, and Big Five personality traits (agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, openness, and extraversion). Interpersonal deception theory, theories of attraction, and source credibility model inform this research, providing a theoretical foundation for the proposed research questions and hypothesis. This research employed a simple two-group comparison experiment (open/free-spirited dater profile vs. traditional/uptight dater profile). Participants were randomly assigned to view either open or traditional profiles, and asked about their perception of the target dater. Results indicated a significant causal effect of user-generated online dater profile types on the dependent variables (perceived trustworthiness, interpersonal attraction, and Big Five personality traits) as well as a significant mediating effect of perceived trustworthiness. This study provided unique and necessary information on self-presentation and other perception in the online dating context, with the aim of helping theorists, online daters, and managers of online dating sites further their understandings of this novel and exciting romantic frontier.

Asunto(s)