Researchers at North Carolina State University did a study and found that virtual avatars are most useful when they physically resemble the person using them. They did the test with an online educational training system. Participants performed much better when the virtual helper shared the same communication style and had similar physical characteristics.
This confirms the belief that while opposites may attract, they rarely stay together. Relationships are built upon commonalities and shared beliefs. This information could be used to create better training systems but could also be expanded to create more emotionally engaging advertisements and video games. You can add this to an ever growing list of "bran hacks" that marketers can use to manipulate people.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110302101658.htm
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