If it looks like a dog: The effect of physical appearance on human interaction with robots and animals

Anne M. Sinatra; Valerie K. Sims; Matthew G. Chin; Heather C. Lum

doi:10.1075/is.13.2.04sin

If it looks like a dog: The effect of physical appearance on human interaction with robots and animals

Anne M. Sinatra, Valerie K. Sims, Matthew G. Chin, Heather C. Lum

School of Humanities & Social Sciences (Behrend)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study was designed to compare the natural free form communication that takes place when a person interacts with robotic entities versus live animals. One hundred and eleven participants interacted with one of four entities: an AIBO robotic dog, Legobot, Dog or Cat. It was found that participants tended to rate the Dog as more capable than the other entities, and often spoke to it more than the robotic entities. However, participants were not positively biased toward live entities, as the Cat often was thought of and spoken to similarly to the AIBO robot. Results are consistent with a model in which both appearance and interactivity lead to the development of beliefs about a live or robotic entity in an interaction.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	235-262
Number of pages	28
Journal	Interaction Studies
Volume	13
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1075/is.13.2.04sin
State	Published - 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Communication
Language and Linguistics
Animal Science and Zoology
Linguistics and Language
Human-Computer Interaction

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10.1075/is.13.2.04sin

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abstract = "This study was designed to compare the natural free form communication that takes place when a person interacts with robotic entities versus live animals. One hundred and eleven participants interacted with one of four entities: an AIBO robotic dog, Legobot, Dog or Cat. It was found that participants tended to rate the Dog as more capable than the other entities, and often spoke to it more than the robotic entities. However, participants were not positively biased toward live entities, as the Cat often was thought of and spoken to similarly to the AIBO robot. Results are consistent with a model in which both appearance and interactivity lead to the development of beliefs about a live or robotic entity in an interaction.",

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AB - This study was designed to compare the natural free form communication that takes place when a person interacts with robotic entities versus live animals. One hundred and eleven participants interacted with one of four entities: an AIBO robotic dog, Legobot, Dog or Cat. It was found that participants tended to rate the Dog as more capable than the other entities, and often spoke to it more than the robotic entities. However, participants were not positively biased toward live entities, as the Cat often was thought of and spoken to similarly to the AIBO robot. Results are consistent with a model in which both appearance and interactivity lead to the development of beliefs about a live or robotic entity in an interaction.

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If it looks like a dog: The effect of physical appearance on human interaction with robots and animals

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

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