Avatar, a Lasting Definition: A mediated self-representation that an intelligent user controls during dynamic interactions

Avatars should be defined in a way that respects and encompasses the term’s historical origins, facilitates clarity between researchers who engage with the concept, and anticipates future models of avatar-mediated communication. Building on an understanding of the term’s etymology and use in media psychology and relevant fields of research, we define an avatar as a mediated self-representation that an intelligent user controls during dynamic interactions. We describe how each element embedded in this conceptually oriented definition could be interpreted as a parameter to be specified operationally by use case. This variable-centered approach could be particularly helpful in removing ambiguity about edge cases of technologies that qualify as avatars and can be interpreted with respect to previous avatar research. Our proposed definition offers theoretical and practical contributions. Theoretically, we aim to improve comparability, replicability, and consistency in media psychology and related research. Practically, we aim to guide applications of avatar-mediated communication in meaningful domains (e.g., avatars in health, education, and play).