Papers
15
Total Citations
273
H-Index
10
About
Chad C. Tossell is a leading researcher in human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on how people perceive, trust, and collaborate with autonomous systems. His work spans three core areas: the psychology of robot design, the dynamics of human-robot teaming, and the ethical implications of AI in decision-making. Tossell is best known for identifying the “Form Function Attribution Bias” (FFAB)—the tendency for people to misjudge a robot’s capabilities based on its appearance—a concept that has reshaped how engineers approach anthropomorphic design. His studies on robot authority in human-machine teams (garnering over 60 combined citations) reveal that physical embodiment and human-likeness significantly influence compliance, with implications for military and emergency response settings. He has also explored emotional bonding with robotic dogs, showing that framing and tactile features like fur can strengthen attachment. More recently, Tossell has examined whether people trust AI’s moral judgments, using GPT-3 to probe perceived moral competence. With over 250 total citations and a portfolio that bridges experimental psychology and robotics engineering, his work is essential reading for anyone designing socially capable machines.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1FFAB—The Form Function Attribution Bias in Human–Robot Interaction77 citations · 2018
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- 6Appropriately Representing Military Tasks for Human-Machine Teaming Research20 citations · 2020
- 7He who hesitates is lost (...in thoughts over a robot)14 citations · 2018
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