Elisabeth Arndt
Papers
1
Total Citations
5
H-Index
1
About
Elisabeth Arndt is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction and social psychology, whose work illuminates how subtle design choices shape our willingness to comply with machines. Her primary research areas include anthropomorphic robotics, sequential persuasion strategies, and the psychological mechanisms underlying human-robot trust. Arndt’s most impactful contribution is her 2024 study series, “(Un-)persuasive robots,” which systematically investigates how anthropomorphic cues—such as human-like appearance or voice—influence the foot-in-the-door effect, a classic compliance tactic. Across three carefully designed experiments, she demonstrated that robots with higher anthropomorphism can paradoxically reduce the effectiveness of sequential requests, challenging long-held assumptions about persuasive technology. Though early in her career, this work has already garnered 5 citations, signaling its growing influence in both robotics and behavioral science. Arndt’s findings offer critical insights for designers of social robots, suggesting that overly human-like features may backfire in contexts requiring incremental compliance. Her research is essential reading for anyone interested in the ethics and efficacy of persuasive AI, and she is poised to become a leading voice in understanding how we navigate an increasingly robotic social world.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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