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About

Evelien Heyselaar is a leading researcher in human-computer and human-robot interaction, with a focus on how social psychological principles apply to our relationships with technology. Her work critically examines the foundational "Computers Are Social Actors" (CASA) theory, with her 2023 paper arguing that the theory no longer applies to modern desktop computers (65 citations), reshaping how the field understands human-machine communication. Heyselaar explores the nuances of prosocial behavior toward robots, investigating whether humans consider a robot's needs in everyday, low-risk scenarios—a question with profound implications for integrating robots into society (19 citations). She also studies how children form reciprocal relationships with robots across developmental stages, revealing how age affects trust and social bonding with non-human agents (2 citations). By challenging established theories and probing the psychological depth of human-robot relationships, Heyselaar’s work is essential for anyone designing socially intelligent technologies or studying the evolving boundary between human and machine.