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The Impact of Video-Mediated Communication on Social Predictions and Theory of Mind Activation.

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Title: The Impact of Video-Mediated Communication on Social Predictions and Theory of Mind Activation.
Authors: Neufeld, Derrick J. (AUTHOR), Roghanizad, M. Mahdi (AUTHOR), White, Roderick E. (AUTHOR)
Source: International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. Dec2025, Vol. 41 Issue 23, p15085-15098. 14p.
Subjects: Theory of mind, Social prediction, Gaze, Face-to-face communication, Cooperativeness, Egocentric bias, Digital technology, Videoconferencing
Abstract: Humans have an ability to predict strangers' cooperative behavior, an evolutionary trait fostering social cooperation by reducing free riding. This ability is linked to Theory of Mind (ToM), a cognitive mechanism enabling the inference of intentions and behaviours. With the growing use of video-mediated tools like Zoom, it is unclear whether this ability—evolved in face-to-face (FtF) settings—remains intact during video interactions. This study examines how video mediation affects ToM activation; specifically whether video impairs cooperativeness predictions compared to FtF, and whether egocentric biases arise in mediated settings. We propose three hypotheses: prediction is more accurate than chance in FtF, no better than chance in video, and highly egocentric in video. Three studies (n1 = 98, n2 = 120, n3 = 91), confirmed these hypotheses, with post hoc analyses ruling out language, non-verbal cues, and interaction time. A fourth study (n4 = 83) highlighted eye gaze as a factor in prediction accuracy. HIGHLIGHTS: Video-mediated communication impairs the ability to predict cooperativeness that exists in FtF interactions. ToM activation is reduced in video interactions, leading to egocentric biases. Participants in video-mediated communication predict others' behaviors based on their own cooperativeness rather than interpreting social cues. Eye contact appears to play a critical role in ToM activation and accurate cooperativeness prediction. Findings highlight limitations of video tools for trust-building and decision-making in virtual environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: The Impact of Video-Mediated Communication on Social Predictions and Theory of Mind Activation.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Neufeld%2C+Derrick+J%2E%22">Neufeld, Derrick J.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Roghanizad%2C+M%2E+Mahdi%22">Roghanizad, M. Mahdi</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22White%2C+Roderick+E%2E%22">White, Roderick E.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Human-Computer+Interaction%22">International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction</searchLink>. Dec2025, Vol. 41 Issue 23, p15085-15098. 14p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Theory+of+mind%22">Theory of mind</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+prediction%22">Social prediction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gaze%22">Gaze</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Face-to-face+communication%22">Face-to-face communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cooperativeness%22">Cooperativeness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Egocentric+bias%22">Egocentric bias</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Digital+technology%22">Digital technology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Videoconferencing%22">Videoconferencing</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Humans have an ability to predict strangers' cooperative behavior, an evolutionary trait fostering social cooperation by reducing free riding. This ability is linked to Theory of Mind (ToM), a cognitive mechanism enabling the inference of intentions and behaviours. With the growing use of video-mediated tools like Zoom, it is unclear whether this ability—evolved in face-to-face (FtF) settings—remains intact during video interactions. This study examines how video mediation affects ToM activation; specifically whether video impairs cooperativeness predictions compared to FtF, and whether egocentric biases arise in mediated settings. We propose three hypotheses: prediction is more accurate than chance in FtF, no better than chance in video, and highly egocentric in video. Three studies (n1 = 98, n2 = 120, n3 = 91), confirmed these hypotheses, with post hoc analyses ruling out language, non-verbal cues, and interaction time. A fourth study (n4 = 83) highlighted eye gaze as a factor in prediction accuracy. HIGHLIGHTS: Video-mediated communication impairs the ability to predict cooperativeness that exists in FtF interactions. ToM activation is reduced in video interactions, leading to egocentric biases. Participants in video-mediated communication predict others' behaviors based on their own cooperativeness rather than interpreting social cues. Eye contact appears to play a critical role in ToM activation and accurate cooperativeness prediction. Findings highlight limitations of video tools for trust-building and decision-making in virtual environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1080/10447318.2025.2493374
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        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Cooperativeness
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      – SubjectFull: Digital technology
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      – SubjectFull: Videoconferencing
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      – TitleFull: The Impact of Video-Mediated Communication on Social Predictions and Theory of Mind Activation.
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              Text: Dec2025
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