More than Just Human: The Psychology of Social Robots

Social robots, specifically designed to interact with humans, already play an increasing role in many domains such as healthcare, transportation, or care of the elderly. However, research and design still lack a profound theoretical basis considering their role as social beings and the psychological rules that apply to the interaction between humans and robots. From a psychological perspective, social robots have ideal conditions to influence human judgments and behavior and to activate mechanisms of projection. On the one hand, researchers and practitioners in human-robot interaction (HRI) may see such effects as a welcome precondition for the general acceptance of social robots. On the other hand, such native trust provides a ground for dysfunctional effects like over-trust or manipulation. The present paper puts a focus on such questions concerning the “psychology of social robots”. Following an interdisciplinary approach we combine theory and methods from HCI and psychology, aiming to form a basis for successful and human-centered robot design. We point out central research questions and areas of relevance and a summary of first results of our own and others’ research. Finally, we present a preliminary model of robot personality and discuss areas for future research.