Researchers at the University of East Anglia have found that social interaction through gameplay can influence how people perceive robots, making them appear more human-like. Published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, the study explored how social engagement affects human-robot relations, particularly the perception of agency in robotic behavior.
The study involved over 100 participants interacting with Cozmo, a small non-humanoid robot. Half of the participants played a game with Cozmo before engaging in further interaction, while the other half did not. Results indicated that those who played the game were more likely to perceive the robot’s actions as human-like, particularly in terms of perceived independent agency.
Lead researcher Dr. Natalie Wyer from UEA’s School of Psychology explained that the perception of robots can shift based on social context. Participants who engaged in gameplay with the robot showed judgment patterns similar to those they would exhibit when observing human actions, such as errors in timing judgments that typically occur when people interpret human agency.
The findings suggest that social cues and context play a critical role in shaping how robots are perceived, especially in environments where they are intended to interact with humans in caregiving or customer service roles. The research emphasizes that initial social interactions may be important in helping people relate to robots as more than just mechanical tools.
Photo credit University of East Anglia
