Social Effects of Virtual and Robot Companions

Abstract

This chapter describes the media equation and computers-as-social-actors approach (CASA), which influenced the research in this area. While summarizing explanations for the phenomena (e.g., the ethopoiea concept), the chapter presents the own studies that tested alternative explanations, and discusses the boundary conditions for the occurrence of social reactions. These include the role of agency, embodiment, features of the agent (especially verbal abilities and nonverbal behavior) and attributes of the user. The studies conducted in the lab which will be reported in this context all employ experimental designs, usually with between-subjects manipulation. After highlighting the findings, the chapter discusses theoretical implications and the conclusions to be drawn for the applied area of developing artificial entities. The technological focus of the chapter is on virtual characters and on robots. However, theoretical models and results might also be transferred to computers or mobile devices.