The Hollywood robot syndrome: Media effects on older adults' attitudes toward robots and adoption intentions

S. Shyam Sundar, T. Franklin Waddell, Eun Hwa Jung

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

73 Scopus citations

Abstract

Do portrayals of robots in popular films influence older adults' robot anxiety and adoption intentions? Informed by cultivation theory, disposition theory and the technology acceptance model, the current survey (N = 379) examined how past exposure to robots in the media affect older adults' (Mage = 66) anxiety towards robots and their subsequent perceptions of robot usefulness, ease of use, and adoption intentions. The results of a structural equation model (SEM) analysis indicate that the higher the number of media portrayals recalled, the lower the anxiety towards robots. Furthermore, recalling robots with a human-like appearance or robots that elicit greater feelings of sympathy was related to more positive attitudes towards robots. Theoretical and practical implications of these results for the design of socially assistive robots for older adults are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationHRI 2016 - 11th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human Robot Interaction
PublisherIEEE Computer Society
Pages343-350
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781467383707
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 12 2016
Event11th Annual ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction, HRI 2016 - Christchurch, New Zealand
Duration: Mar 7 2016Mar 10 2016

Publication series

NameACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction
Volume2016-April
ISSN (Electronic)2167-2148

Other

Other11th Annual ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction, HRI 2016
Country/TerritoryNew Zealand
CityChristchurch
Period3/7/163/10/16

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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