What Triggers Social Responses to Flattering Computers? Experimental Tests of Anthropomorphism and Mindlessness Explanations
Author:
- Eun-Ju Lee (Seoul National University)
Two experiments investigated how human-likeness of the interface and individuals' cognitive style moderate the tendency to apply social heuristics to computers. More anthropomorphic interfaces induced greater conformity, albeit only among low rationals (Experiment 1), and more positive overall perceptions (Experiment 2), but they did not facilitate social responses to computers. Flattery from the computer, however, had greater influence on low rationals' self-perceptions and conformity (sinister attribution error), suggesting that mindlessness underlies social treatment of computers.