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Romantic relationships are a cornerstone of human nature. Today, these relationships can potentially be fulfilled by virtual agents. Although previous psychological research has examined how human needs can be met by anthropomorphized agents, it has neglected virtual romantic relationships. This paper introduces the concept of romantic anthropomorphism (i.e. giving a non‐human agent human‐like characteristics in a romantic context) to help understand virtual romance. In three laboratory studies, we used romantic video games (RVGs) to examine how romantic anthropomorphism predicts relationship authenticity, desire for real‐world relationship and mood (Studies 1A, 1B and 2) as well as real‐world interpersonal behaviour (Study 2). Study 1A revealed that romantic anthropomorphism of a virtual agent predicted desire for a real‐world relationship with the virtual agent and greater positive affect via feeling that the relationship built with the virtual agent was authentic. Study 1B replicated these results using a larger sample and a different RVG. Study 2 replicated these results, but revealed that playing RVGs failed to predict real‐world behaviour in a subsequent interaction with a human confederate. This research identifies a unique way that people find connection in the modern world and provides novel insight into the fields of anthropomorphism, virtual interactions and relationship science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When someone's self‐esteem is raised, how does their presence affect the people surrounding them? The purpose of the present study was to provide initial evidence for this question from the viewpoint of social comparison. We therefore conducted a questionnaire experiment among junior high school students (N = 225) using a scene‐assumption method, investigating the effect of a change in the self‐esteem of a specific individual on the self‐esteem of others in that individual's proximity. Results showed that, for students who had low self‐esteem and saw self‐esteem as important, their self‐esteem decreased when the self‐esteem of a friend increased; conversely, self‐esteem increased for individuals who did not view this trait as important. This finding suggests that, depending on both the degree of the participants' original level of self‐esteem and the degree to which self‐esteem is considered important, activities to improve self‐esteem may have an unintentional adverse effect that undermines their original purpose. Based on this suggestion, the necessity of considering the effects on others in efforts to improve an individual's self‐esteem is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]