• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.129-149
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• 2021

Recently, interest in social robots that can socially interact with humans is increasing. Thanks to the development of ICT technology, social robots have become easier to provide personalized services and emotional connection to individuals, and the role of social robots is drawing attention as a means to solve modern social problems and the resulting decline in the quality of individual lives. Along with the interest in social robots, the spread of social robots is also increasing significantly. Many companies are introducing robot products to the market to target various target markets, but so far there is no clear trend leading the market. Accordingly, there are more and more attempts to differentiate robots through the design of social robots. In particular, anthropomorphism has been studied importantly in social robot design, and many approaches have been attempted to anthropomorphize social robots to produce positive effects. However, there is a lack of research that systematically describes the mechanism by which anthropomorphism for social robots is formed. Most of the existing studies have focused on verifying the positive effects of the anthropomorphism of social robots on consumers. In addition, the formation of anthropomorphism of social robots may vary depending on the individual's motivation or temperament, but there are not many studies examining this. A vague understanding of anthropomorphism makes it difficult to derive design optimal points for shaping the anthropomorphism of social robots. The purpose of this study is to verify the mechanism by which the anthropomorphism of social robots is formed. This study confirmed the effect of the human-likeness of social robots(Within-subjects) and the construal level of consumers(Between-subjects) on the formation of anthropomorphism through an experimental study of 3×2 mixed design. Research hypotheses on the mechanism by which anthropomorphism is formed were presented, and the hypotheses were verified by analyzing data from a sample of 206 people. The first hypothesis in this study is that the higher the human-likeness of the robot, the higher the level of anthropomorphism for the robot. Hypothesis 1 was supported by a one-way repeated measures ANOVA and a post hoc test. The second hypothesis in this study is that depending on the construal level of consumers, the effect of human-likeness on the level of anthropomorphism will be different. First, this study predicts that the difference in the level of anthropomorphism as human-likeness increases will be greater under high construal condition than under low construal condition.Second, If the robot has no human-likeness, there will be no difference in the level of anthropomorphism according to the construal level. Thirdly,If the robot has low human-likeness, the low construal level condition will make the robot more anthropomorphic than the high construal level condition. Finally, If the robot has high human-likeness, the high construal levelcondition will make the robot more anthropomorphic than the low construal level condition. We performed two-way repeated measures ANOVA to test these hypotheses, and confirmed that the interaction effect of human-likeness and construal level was significant. Further analysis to specifically confirm interaction effect has also provided results in support of our hypotheses. The analysis shows that the human-likeness of the robot increases the level of anthropomorphism of social robots, and the effect of human-likeness on anthropomorphism varies depending on the construal level of consumers. This study has implications in that it explains the mechanism by which anthropomorphism is formed by considering the human-likeness, which is the design attribute of social robots, and the construal level of consumers, which is the way of thinking of individuals. We expect to use the findings of this study as the basis for design optimization for the formation of anthropomorphism in social robots.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.79-91
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• 2021

Currently, chatbot, a conversational platform based on artificial intelligence, is drawing attention as a new marketing channel. This study attempted to verify the effect of the anthropomorphism, message type, and media self-efficacy level on purchase intention. The experimental design of this study was a 2 (anthropomorphism level of shopping chatbot: low vs. high) × 2 (message type: factual vs. evaluative) × 2 (media self-efficacy: low vs. high) three-way mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA). This study conducted a survey by the convenience sampling method of 402 women in their 20s and 30s living in Seoul and the Gyeonggi area who were aware of chatbot services. For the final analysis, 388 questionnaires were used. Data were analyzed with the SPSS 23 program and three-way ANOVA. Simple main effects analysis was conducted. The results of this study were as follows. First, there were statistically significant differences in purchase intention according to anthropomorphism level, message type, and media self-efficacy. Second, message type and media self-efficacy showed statistically significant interaction effects on purchase intention. Lastly, anthropomorphism and the media self-efficacy level and the message type of the shopping chatbots showed significant three-way interaction effects on purchase intention.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.795-807
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• 2019

This qualitative study delves into consumers' meanings, perceptions, and behaviors toward the anthropomorphism of fashion goods based on personal experiences. Previous studies focused on consumer responses to the marketer-driven anthropomorphism of products, messages, and brands; however, the present study examines consumers' spontaneous anthropomorphism focusing on personal meanings as a possessor and meanings in their social relationships. A qualitative methodology is adopted that involves in-depth interviews with eleven males and females in their 20s and 30s. Participants stated that were engaged in the anthropomorphic practice of fashion goods on a daily basis. Data analysis was based on grounded theory. Findings on consumer-driven anthropomorphism are discussed at personal and interpersonal levels. At the personal level, anthropomorphic objects are their companions that are often called "baby." Interestingly, anthropomorphism reduces the stigmas of materialism from the participants' side. At the interpersonal level, anthropomorphic practice is a ritual of sharing a common interest and assuring intimacy. Implications and suggestions for future research are also discussed.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.119-130
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• 2021

This study investigated the effects of the chatbot's level of anthropomorphism - closeness to the human form - and its self-disclosure - delivery of emotional exchange with the chatbot through its facial expressions and chatting message on the user's intention to accept the service. A 2 (anthropomorphism: High vs. Low) × 2 (self-disclosure through facial expressions: High vs. Low) × 2 (self-disclosure through conversation: High vs. Low) between-subject factorial design was employed for this study. An online survey was conducted and a total of 234 questionnaires were used in the analysis. The results showed that consumers used chatbot service more when emotions were disclosed through facial expressions, than when it disclosed fewer facial expressions. There was statistically significant interaction effect, indicating the relationship between chatbot's self-disclosure through facial expression and the consumers' intention to use chatbot service differs depending on the extent of anthropomorphism. In the case of "robot chatbots" with low anthropomorphism levels, there was no difference in intention to use chatbot service depending on the level of self-disclosure through facial expression. When the "human-like chatbot" with high anthropomorphism levels discloses itself more through facial expressions, consumer's intention to use the chatbot service increased much more than when the human-like chatbot disclosed fewer facial expressions. The findings suggest that chatbots' self-disclosure plays an important role in the formation of consumer perception.

• The Journal of Information Systems
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.163-188
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• 2023

Purpose The study examines the impact of the level of anthropomorphism (both in appearance and behavior) of virtual humans on user liking. It investigates whether this relationship is mediated by social comparison experiences, with the moderated mediation effect of users' desire for self-improvement. Design/methodology/approach A between-groups experimental design was employed to examine the impact of different levels of appearance(low/mid/high) and behavior(low/high) anthropomorphism on user liking of virtual humans. The experiment was conducted in an online environment, and participants were randomly exposed to one of six stimuli, which were Instagram-like posts. Findings The results indicate that as virtual humans become more anthropomorphic, they have a positive impact on user liking. However, once the level of anthropomorphism in appearance reaches a certain point (mid vs high), there is no significant difference in user liking. Users who perceive virtual humans as highly anthropomorphic tend to engage in more social comparison experiences, which positively affects their liking for these virtual humans. Conversely, individuals with a high desire for self-improvement found that the positive effect of appearance anthropomorphism on liking through social comparison experiences was reduced. The study extends the application of social comparison theory by examining its impact on influencer marketing with virtual beings. It provides valuable insights for the formulation of influencer marketing strategies using virtual humans.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.93-102
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• 2022

This study investigated the differences in smart speaker users' loneliness, social disconnection, and attachment, frequency of daily speaker usage, and anthropomorphic behavior depending on the level of smart speaker anthropomorphism. A total of 320 users participated in an online survey. Results showed significant differences between the high anthropomorphism group and the low anthropomorphism group in their level of loneliness, social disconnection, anxiety attachment, frequency of daily speaker usage, and anthropomorphic behaviors. However, no significant difference in avoidance attachment between the two groups was found. The findings imply that interaction design can possibly enhance positive social interaction with smart speakers.

• Journal of the HCI Society of Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2017

Applying the concept and components of human nature to the conversational agent in the smart home context, this study investigated the effects of the level of anthropomorphism and interaction type on the emotional user experiences and future use intention. The results of experiment study showed that the high-low condition of anthropomorphism and the voice-chatting interaction type have impacts on the perceived closeness, likability, and future use intention. That is, people evaluate the conversational agent as more close, likable, and useful when they perceive more human nature components and when in the voice interaction mode. Psychological resistance was lower in the voice than in the chatting mode regardless of the level of anthropomorphism. The results also demonstrated an interaction effect of anthropomorphism and interaction type on the future use intention: the effect of anthropomorphism existed only in the voice interaction mode. It leads to the conclusion that a conversational agent with the voice recognition interface should be designed with the higher level of human nature components for the continuous use.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.469-476
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• 2022

As the 3D modeling technology and conversational algorithm is developed, digital humans are being used in various fields, and also virtual bankers have begun to appear in banks, including major banks such as Shin-Han Bank and Nong-Hyup Bank. However, most of the research of digital human mainly focus on its appearance, and research on robot persona that should be considered in anthropomorphizing a robot is insufficient. In this study, an experiment was conducted to find out the user experience of three scenarios (student ID receipt, deposit and withdrawal account opening, leasehold loan consultation) in which the level of anthropomorphism of the speech strategy and the level of personal information use differed in the specific context of banking. As a result of the study, social presence and usefulness had an interactive effect on the scenario and the level of anthropomorphism. There was no interaction effect on intimacy, trustworthiness, and perceived intelligence, but a tendency could be confirmed.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.3-16
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• 2021

The attribution of human traits, emotions, and intentions to nonhuman entities such as robots is known as anthropomorphism. Two studies were conducted to check whether human-robot interaction is affected by anthropomorphic framing of robots. In Study 1, participants were presented with pictures of robots that varied in human similarity in appearance. According to the results, uncanny feelings toward a robot increased with the higher levels of human similarity. Furthermore, as the level of mind attribution increased, participants tended to attribute more humanlike abilities to nonhuman agents. In Study 2, a robot was described as either a machine-like robot or a humanlike robot in a priming story; then, it was examined whether significant differences exist in mind attribution and moral care. The participants tended to perceive robots as more humanlike in the mind attribution when anthropomorphism was used in a robot's behavior, according to the findings. Furthermore, in the condition of increased anthropomorphism, a higher level of moral care could be observed compared with that in the other condition. This means that humanlike appearances may increase uncanny feelings, whereas anthropomorphic attribution may facilitate social interactions between humans and robots. Limitations as well as the implications for future research are discussed.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.361-366
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to find out user preference on personification of the public service robot. Public service robot services in public places is increasing, which is expected to continue to increase. Proper anthropomorphism of robots has positive effect on user experience. On the other hand, when the level of likeness exceeds a certain point, it provokes strangeness and a sense of unease. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare standards for anthropomorphism required for public service robots. In order to find it, a survey and an in-depth interview were conducted. According to the analysis, people prefer verbal interaction with the robot, and the proper age for the voice is in their 20s and 30s. It is recommended that no biological signals appear on the robot and there is a need for personalized services. Through this research, it is expected that it will contribute to design of public service robots that enhance user experience.