In building on theories of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC), Human-Robot
Interaction, and Media Psychology (i.e. Theory of Affective Bonding), the
current paper proposes an explanation of how over time, people experience the
mediated or simulated aspects of the interaction with a social robot. In two
simultaneously running loops, a more reflective process is balanced with a more
affective process. If human interference is detected behind the machine,
Robot-Mediated Communication commences, which basically follows CMC
assumptions; if human interference remains undetected, Human-Robot
Communication comes into play, holding the robot for an autonomous social
actor. The more emotionally aroused a robot user is, the more likely they
develop an affective relationship with what actually is a machine. The main
contribution of this paper is an integration of Computer-Mediated
Communication, Human-Robot Communication, and Media Psychology, outlining a
full-blown theory of robot communication connected to friendship formation,
accounting for communicative features, modes of processing, as well as
psychophysiology.Comment: Hoorn, J. F. (2018). Theory of robot communication: II. Befriending a
robot over time. arXiv:cs, 2502572(v1), 1-2