Let's talk: anthropomorphization as means to cope with stress of interacting with technical devices

This study is concerned with the anthropomorphization of technical devices and the resulting influence on human-machine interaction; a special focus is on the verbal interaction between human and machine. Questions included: why do people regard technical devices as humans, when do they do so and ho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ergonomics 2003-10, Vol.46 (13-14), p.1361-1374
Main Authors: Luczak, Holger, Roetting, Matthias, Schmidt, Ludger
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Anthropomorphization
Anxiety - psychology
Attitude to Computers
Emotion
Ergonomics - psychology
Female
Human-computer interaction
Humans
Interactive computer systems
Male
Man-Machine Systems
Middle Aged
Space life sciences
Speaking
Speech
Stress
Stress at work
Stress, Mechanical
Stress, Physiological - psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Technology
Usability
User-Computer Interface
Verbal interaction
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Summary:This study is concerned with the anthropomorphization of technical devices and the resulting influence on human-machine interaction; a special focus is on the verbal interaction between human and machine. Questions included: why do people regard technical devices as humans, when do they do so and how do they perceive their own dialogue and other persons' dialogues with technical devices? Correlation coefficients were calculated between the amount of displayed anthropomorphism and subjects' personality structure, fear of technical devices and self-rated technical competency. A subsequent regression analysis revealed that extraversion and gender of the respondents significantly predicted the amount of interaction with technical devices. Regression analysis showed that neuroticism and agreeableness significantly predicted self-rated technical competency. Technical devices that were seen as helpers or friends were generally treated less unfriendly than devices perceived as merely tools. The findings are discussed in the context of emotion and stress at work and the usability of technical devices.
ISSN:0014-0139
1366-5847
DOI:10.1080/00140130310001610883