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Thijs Westerbeek's picture

Too shy to ask? Date an avatar

Published on : 16 December 2011 - 3:37pm | By Thijs Westerbeek van Eerten (Photo: RNW)
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People who are afraid of dating in real life can practice on an avatar. At the Department for Clinical Psychology of the University of Amsterdam, people with social phobias can act as guinea pigs for a new virtual therapy – and at the same time, they can practise their dating skills.

It seems a bit unnatural and really complicated, practising all kinds of situations which patients might encounter in real life using an avatar – a virtual person. But other tests with virtual therapies in the past have helped; take the fear of flying, for example.

Having a social phobia is more than just being shy; patients can suffer so badly that they become recluses, and can no longer function in society. Delft Technical University and the University of Amsterdam have developed an anti-shyness programme, in which patients date an avatar who responds to their reactions.

There are two advantages. Firstly, you can practise in a safe and predictable environment. And secondly, the therapist can easily increase the difficulty of an encounter during the session. What’s more, it works: after around eight sessions the patient is ready to go back out into the real world.

(nc/rk)

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Discussion

Prasanna Ahuja 24 March 2012 - 6:34am

Ive to state, you selected your words well. The concepts you wrote in your encounters are effectively placed. This is an unbelievable weblog!

Alfonso M 18 December 2011 - 9:59pm

Does this remind anyone of the film LARS AND THE REAL GIRL?

appoilajusa 17 December 2011 - 8:51pm / Georgia

I have thought and have removed the message
vagon1.ru

Riftliaishags 16 December 2011 - 10:20pm / ??????

Это как, ато немогу понять.

Anonymous 16 December 2011 - 3:43pm

fantastic!

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