Madeline G. Reinecke

Continental (United Kingdom), Yale University

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Madeline G. Reinecke is a developmental psychologist whose research explores how children and adults perceive the moral standing of robots and artificial intelligence. Her work sits at the intersection of cognitive development, social cognition, and AI ethics, addressing a critical question for an increasingly automated world: Do we grant machines moral rights, and how do these beliefs change with age? In her most-cited paper, “Developmental changes in the perceived moral standing of robots” (2024, 17 citations), Reinecke conducted three developmental studies (combined N = 415) and one adult study (N = 156), revealing that children are more likely than adults to attribute moral standing—such as vulnerability and mental life—to robots. A related 2021 study (10 citations) further demonstrated that children grant both humans and robots greater mental capacities than adults do. These findings challenge assumptions about moral circle expansion and have implications for AI design, education, and policy. Reinecke’s work is notable for its rigorous cross-sectional methodology and its timely contribution to debates on machine personhood. Her research is essential reading for anyone interested in how moral cognition evolves alongside emerging technologies.