James Andres

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About

James Andres is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on how social imperfections shape interpersonal impressions of autonomous systems. His most-cited work, "The Pratfall Effect and Interpersonal Impressions of a Robot that Forgets and Apologizes" (2019, 16 citations), represents a landmark contribution to the field. In this study, Andres experimentally demonstrated that a robot displaying forgetfulness and offering apologies can paradoxically enhance its perceived likability and social warmth—a phenomenon previously observed only in human social psychology. By applying the classic "pratfall effect" to robotics, Andres challenged prevailing assumptions that robots must be flawless to be trusted, revealing instead that minor, relatable errors can humanize machines and improve user rapport. This work has significant implications for designing socially adept robots in caregiving, education, and service contexts. Andres’s research bridges social psychology and artificial intelligence, offering a nuanced understanding of how vulnerability and accountability in robots can foster more natural, effective human-machine relationships. His findings continue to influence both academic discourse and practical design guidelines for socially intelligent robots.