Perceived human-likeness of social robots:testing the Rasch model as a method for measuring anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphism is generally defined as the attribution of human-like characteristics to social robots and other non-human objects. We argue that different researchers have different interpretations of this concept, leading to measuring instruments that focus on different subsets of human-like characteristics. In the current paper, we discuss these different interpretations and explore a new method for measuring anthropomorphism, based on the Rasch model. The aim of the current work is to map anthropomorphism as a range of human-like characteristics on a one-dimensional scale. The scale’s validity and sensitivity were tested by comparing it with two available measuring instruments and by comparing people’s responses to different types of agents. In three studies, we explored whether the Rasch model is suitable for measuring anthropomorphism. Despite some limitations, results showed that the Rasch model can successfully be applied to the measurement of anthropomorphism. Implications for future work on anthropomorphism of social robots are discussed.</p

Persuasive technology to promote pro-environmental behaviour

This chapter discusses the dimensions and scope of persuasive technology and its potential to promote sustainable use of the environment surrounding us. Persuasive technology aims to bridge the gap between technological and psychological contributions to solving environmental problems by intervening in user-system interactions that have environmental consequences. Various approaches to persuasive technology will be introduced including the use of persuasive agents, the provision of new experiences, the use of persuasive ambient technology, and persuasive technology at the group level that acknowledges the social nature of environmental behaviour. A crucial advantage of ambient persuasive technology is that it can continue influencing people, even in daily situations in which cognitive resources are taxed and where interventions that need cognitive attention would not be influential. The use of ambient intelligence decreases the use of cognitive resources which helps to ease behaviour change.</p

A persuasive robotic agent to save energy: the influence of social feedback, feedback valence and task similarity on energy conservation behavior

In this paper we explore the persuasive effects of social feedback provided by a robotic agent, on behavioral change. In lab experiments, participants had the opportunity to conserve energy while carrying out washing tasks with a simulated washing machine. Three experiments tested the effect of positive and negative social feedback and compared these effects to more widely used factual feedback. Results of these studies indicate that social feedback has stronger persuasive effects than factual feedback (Experiment 1) and factual-evaluative feedback (Experiment 2). In addition, an effect of feedback valence was found, demonstrating more conservation actions following negative feedback (social or factual) as compared to positive feedback. Interestingly, especially negative social feedback had the strongest persuasive effects (Experiment 1, 2, & 3), and task similarity enhanced the effects of negative feedback (Experiment 3). These findings have several implications for theory and design of persuasive robotic agents