Henry M. Wellman

Papers

Total Citations

198

H-Index

About

Henry M. Wellman is a pioneering developmental psychologist whose research illuminates how children understand the social and technological world. His key contributions center on children's developing "theory of mind"—their ability to attribute mental states to themselves and others—and, more recently, how children perceive and trust robots as social partners. In his highly cited work "Creepiness Creeps In" (114 citations), Wellman demonstrated that the uncanny valley—the unsettling feeling evoked by human-like robots—is not innate but acquired during childhood, tracing its emergence across ages 3 to 18. His influential study "Robot teachers for children?" (81 citations) revealed that 3-year-olds selectively trust robots based on perceived accuracy and agency, showing that even young children evaluate technological informants critically. Wellman’s work bridges cognitive development and human-robot interaction, offering profound insights into how children navigate an increasingly automated world. His research has shaped educational technology design and our understanding of social learning in the digital age.