Influence of Social Anxiety on People's Preferences for Robots as Daily Life Communication Partners Among Young Japanese

Abstract

Abstract This study investigates whether people prefer robots versus humans as communication partners for different roles and situations in daily life, and the influence of social anxiety on people's preferences for robots versus humans among young Japanese. A total of 206 young Japanese (men: 103, women: 103; mean age: 25.2 years, SD = 2.91 years, range: 20–29 years) participated in an online survey and completed items assessing the participants' preferences for robots versus humans as communication partners, as well as a Japanese version of the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale. Results showed that in Japan, a certain number of people preferred robots as communication partners in many roles and situations, and for structured tasks especially. Additionally, social anxiety influenced these preferences. This result suggests that robots would be particularly useful for individuals with high social anxiety.