Anthropomorphism in human–robot interactions: a multidimensional conceptualization

Abstract

With robots increasingly assuming social roles (e.g., assistants, companions), anthropomorphism (i.e., the cognition that an entity possesses human characteristics) plays a prominent role in human–robot interactions (HRI). However, current conceptualizations of anthropomorphism in HRI have not adequately distinguished between precursors, consequences, and dimensions of anthropomorphism. Building and elaborating on previous research, we conceptualize anthropomorphism as a form of human cognition, which centers upon the attribution of human mental capacities to a robot. Accordingly, perceptions related to a robot’s shape and movement are potential precursors of anthropomorphism, while attributions of personality and moral value to a robot are potential consequences of anthropomorphism. Arguing that multidimensional conceptualizations best reflect the conceptual facets of anthropomorphism, we propose, based on Wellman’s (1990) Theory-of-Mind (ToM) framework, that anthropomorphism in HRI consists of attributing thinking, feeling, perceiving, desiring, and choosing to a robot. We conclude by discussing applications of our conceptualization in HRI research.

Source orientation, anthropomorphism, and social presence in human-chatbot communication: how to proceed with these concepts

“…The current consensus that both mindless and mindful processes-particularly regarding anthropomorphism-can be at work (e.g., Kühne and Peter 2022;Lombard and Xu 2021;Złotowski et al 2018) calls for empirical research that uses a variety of methods that are better able to examine these processes and their outcomes. To this end, mixed-method projects are needed, particularly combining in-depth interviews K with experiments, to compare the outcomes of behavioral measures (i.e., the social reponses that users exhibit toward chatbots), open-ended questions that provide indepth insight in user experiences, and explicit and implicit measures (e.g., Vandeberg et al 2015Vandeberg et al , 2016.…”

“…Anthropomorphism. As said, the challenge for future research is to gain insight in both mindless and mindful anthropomorphism (e.g., Lombard and Xu 2021;Złotowski et al 2018), and Kühne and Peter (2022) suggest that a measure of explicit anthropomorphism needs to be complemented with measures of implicit anthropomorphism, for instance with indirect self-report measures and neurological measures. The currently-used measures of mindless and mindful anthropomorphism are both explicit measures asking for participants' reflections, and as such the measure "mindless anthropomorphism" does not tap into mindless processes.…”

“…More specifically, a plea is made to also pay attention to source orientation in future chatbot research, since the inclusion of this concept contributes to a more thorough understanding of anthropomorphism and social presence in users' experiences. Users can orient themselves toward several "layers" and there are three conditions: awareness, attention, and engagement (Solomon and Wash 2014, p. 424) The cognition of attributing five human mental capacities (thinking, feeling, perceiving, desiring, and choosing) to artifical actors (Kühne and Peter 2022) The feeling of being together with another Source orientation. As the word "source orientation" implies, it can be defined literally as the source that users orient themselves toward when interacting with technology (Reeves and Nass 1996;Solomon and Wash 2014;Sundar and Nass 2000).…”

“…For example, for "friendly" participants typically evaluated language style, whereas for "personal" some of them evaluated whether personal data had been used. To move forward with this issue, the recent conceptualization of anthropomorphism by Kühne and Peter (2022) will prove to be helpful because-using Wellman's Theory of Mind framework-they specify the definition to the cognition of attributing human mental capacities. Thus anthropomorphism entails the attribution of thinking, feeling, perceiving, desiring, and choosing to a robot.…”

“…Lombard and Xu (2021) emphasized that mindless and mindful anthropomorphism are two major complementary mechanisms that help to understand users' social responses to technology. The recent conceptualization of Kühne and Peter (2022) focuses on mindful or explicit anthropomorphism. Future chatbot studies should explicate whether they are investigating mindless or mindful anthropomorphism, or the relation between the two.…”