Anthropomorphism and the Desire for Social Connection: The Role of Sociality Motivation Factors in Predicting Perceptions of a Social Robot

Extensive research has investigated the human tendency to anthropomorphize artificial agents by attributing human-like traits to these systems. Sociality motivation, the desire for social connection, has been proposed to be a key psychological determinant for anthropomorphism. Sociality motivation can be operationalized in a range of dispositional, developmental, and cultural facets, but it is currently unclear how these factors contribute collectively and independently to predicting an individual’s tendency towards anthropomorphism. This online study (N = 164) assessed the relationship between different facets of sociality motivation and four dimensions of anthropomorphism of a social robot, using videos of a robot completing a game alone and with human and robot partners. Respondents who reported more collectivist cultural views were more likely to attribute higher agency, sociability, and disturbance to the robot. Those who reported higher attachment anxiety scores also attributed greater agency and sociability. Previous research has focused primarily on dispositional indicators of anthropomorphism, however the current study suggests that cultural determinants may be stronger predictors of anthropomorphic tendencies and should be a focus of further research.