I, Robot: How Human Appearance and Mind Attribution Relate to the Perceived Danger of Robots

Abstract

Social robots become increasingly human-like in appearance and behaviour. However, a large body of research shows that these robots tend to elicit negative feelings of eeriness, danger, and threat. In the present study, we explored whether and how human-like appearance and mind-attribution contribute to these negative feelings and clarified possible underlying mechanisms. Participants were presented with pictures of mechanical, humanoid, and android robots, and physical anthropomorphism (Studies 1-3), attribution of mind perception of agency and experience (Studies 2 and 3), threat to human-machine distinctiveness, and damage to humans and their identity were assessed for all three robot types. Replicating earlier research, human-machine distinctiveness mediated the influence of anthropomorphic appearance on the perceived damage for humans and their identity, and this mediation was due to anthropomorphic appearance of the robot. Perceived agency and experience did not show similar mediating effects on human-machine distinctiveness, but a positive relation with perceived damage for humans and their identity. Possible explanations are discussed. Keywords Human/robot interaction • Uncanny valley • Mind perception • Need for distinctiveness 1 I, Robot: How Human Appearance and Mind Attribution Relate to the Perceived Danger of RobotsWatching the movie 'Ex Machina', you quickly perceive Ava, the android main character of the movie, as a real human with emotions and feelings. Anthropomorphising Ava in this way, that is to ascribe human-like characteristics and/or intentions to non-human agents, is a fundamental human process that spontaneously happens and increases our social connection with non-human agents [1]. Although highly evolved robots seem a vision of the future, we already interact with artificial intelligent agents on a regular basis (e.g., Siri, Apple's speaking assistant, Amazon's Alexa, or CaMeLi, an avatar designed to help elderly in daily life). Developments in robot technology are proceeding rapidly: 'Social robots', i.e., robots that are designed to interact and communicate with people [2], feature increasingly more human-like appearances and behaviour. While, these technical developments are especially interesting when it comes to maintaining and improving our quality of life, for example in health care or education, a large body of research also shows that social robots tend to elicit negative feelings of eeriness, danger, and threat [3][4][5][6][7]. In the present study, we investigated the factors that elicit these negative feelings and clarified possible underlying mechanisms, including the extent to which robots look human-like and the extent to which they are attributed with a mind.

More than surgical tools: a systematic review of robots as didactic tools for the education of professionals in health sciences

“…Contrary to the results shown by (Regmi & Jones, 2020 ) in terms of e-learning, the use of other technology enhanced learning (TEL) in the health sciences field has proven to enrich and facilitate the transmission of didactic content, favoring medical training and motivating the students for example by using virtual or augmented reality (Escalada-Hernández et al, 2019 ; González Izard et al, 2020 ; Izard et al, 2018 ). However, when using robotic technology, the users’ attitudes towards robots is a major concern, as robotic appearance and behavior influences and hinders their acceptance, especially when these robots resemble human beings (Müller et al, 2020 ; Savela et al, 2018 ). This important aspect of robotic technology is considered in few of the compiled studies.…”

Mind-reading machines: Distinct user responses to thought-detecting and emotion-detecting robots.

“…Human behavior, appearance, and skills are often used as a reference point when designing modern-day technology (e.g., Eyssel et al, 2012;Huang & Mutlu, 2013;Niculescu et al, 2013;Salem et al, 2011), but users do not always appreciate impressions of humanness in their machines. Indeed, several studies showed that once new technologies threaten human uniqueness, they are typically met with strong aversion (e.g., Müller et al, 2020;Złotowski et al, 2017). Even more so, social cognitive abilities such as mind-reading might play a particular role in this regard (Stein & Ohler, 2017), as our ability to infer and analyze the emotions of those around us has long served as a distinct advantage to our species (Darwin, 2009;Nesse, 1990).…”

Issues in the Development of Conversation Dialog for Humanoid Nursing Partner Robots in Long-Term Care

“…It is necessary for HNRs to possess abilities to express artificial emotions through linguistically appropriate and accurate communication processes, including nonverbal expressions with autonomous bodily movements. It is also critical that the appearance of HNRs would be more familiar, relatable, non-intimidating [32], does not cause human emotional unease and discomforts such as fear, anxiety, and suspiciousness, since human-like appearance of HNRs can lead to resistance [33].…”