Nicholas David Bowman

Syracuse University, Texas Tech University

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About

Nicholas David Bowman is a leading scholar in the fields of human-machine communication, media psychology, and interactive media effects. His research explores the psychological and social dynamics of human interaction with technology, particularly social robots, AI agents, and videogames. Bowman’s major contributions include developing and validating the concept of “perceived moral patiency” in social robots—a framework for understanding when and why people attribute moral standing to machines. His most-cited work, “Perceived Moral Patiency of Social Robots: Explication and Scale Development” (2022, 11 citations), provides a foundational tool for studying ethical human-robot relationships. In another influential study, “Social and Entertainment Gratifications of Videogame Play Comparing Robot, AI, and Human Partners” (2019, 5 citations), Bowman demonstrates that social gaming gratifications—such as enjoyment and companionship—can emerge in human-machine co-play, challenging assumptions about the uniqueness of human-human interaction. His work bridges communication theory, human-computer interaction, and moral psychology, with implications for the design of socially intelligent technologies. Bowman’s research is widely cited and has shaped debates on the ethical treatment of AI and the future of human-robot sociality.