Kathryn E. Schafer
Papers
1
Total Citations
20
H-Index
1
About
Kathryn E. Schafer is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, with a focused expertise in the psychology of trust and implicit attitudes toward autonomous systems. Her most-cited work, "Implicit Attitudes Toward Robots" (2016, 20 citations), introduced a novel application of the Implicit Associations Test (IAT) to uncover subconscious biases that shape how humans perceive and trust robots compared to other people. This foundational study revealed that even when explicit self-reports show neutral or positive views, implicit measures can detect underlying skepticism or discomfort—a critical insight for designing more acceptable robotic assistants. By bridging social psychology and robotics, Schafer’s research provides a rigorous framework for evaluating trust beyond surface-level surveys, influencing fields from healthcare robotics to autonomous vehicles. Her work has been cited in over 20 subsequent studies, establishing her as a key voice in understanding the hidden cognitive barriers to human-robot collaboration. Schafer’s contributions are essential reading for any student or researcher seeking to grasp the subtle, often invisible, dynamics that govern our relationship with intelligent machines.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Implicit Attitudes Toward Robots20 citations · 2016