Robot tears promote psychological anthropomorphism: A study with image stimuli

Abstract

The psychological anthropomorphism of robots is key to determining how humans treat robots. Accordingly, this study aims to verify whether robot tears promote psychological anthropomorphism. Tears were digitally added to images of robots to produce versions both with and without tears that were used as visual stimuli. In Study 1, participants were presented with the robot images and asked to respond concerning the robots’ Sociability, Agency, Animacy, and Disturbance. The results showed that tears increased Animacy ratings, but no changes were observed in the other variables. In Study 2, participants were presented with the robot images and short scenarios describing the robots’ situations (death or farewell) and were asked to answer the same questions as in Study 1. The results showed that tears increased Animacy, Sociability, and Agency. Thus, these results indicate that robot tears may promote psychological anthropomorphism, but they also suggest that context is important for this effect. These findings suggest that Animacy is a fundamental aspect of psychological anthropomorphism.