Computer anthropomorphisation in a socio-economic dilemma

In the study of human behaviour, non-social targets are often used as a control for human-to-human interactions. However, the concept of anthropomorphisation suggests that human-like qualities can be attributed to non-human objects. This can prove problematic in psychological experiments, as compute...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behavior research methods 2024-02, Vol.56 (2), p.667-679
Main Authors: Cogoni, Carlotta, Fiuza, Angelica, Hassanein, Leslie, Antunes, Marília, Prata, Diana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anthropomorphism
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Computers
Cooperation
Cooperative Behavior
Head
Humans
Prisoner Dilemma
Psychology
Social behavior
Socioeconomic Factors
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Summary:In the study of human behaviour, non-social targets are often used as a control for human-to-human interactions. However, the concept of anthropomorphisation suggests that human-like qualities can be attributed to non-human objects. This can prove problematic in psychological experiments, as computers are often used as non-social targets. Here, we assessed the degree of computer anthropomorphisation in a sequential and iterated prisoner’s dilemma. Participants ( N  = 41) faced three opponents in the prisoner’s dilemma paradigm—a human, a computer, and a roulette—all represented by images presented at the commencement of each round. Cooperation choice frequencies and transition probabilities were estimated within subjects, in rounds against each opponent. We found that participants anthropomorphised the computer opponent to a high degree, while the same was not found for the roulette (i.e. no cooperation choice difference vs human opponents; p  = .99). The difference in participants’ behaviour towards the computer vs the roulette was further potentiated by the precedent roulette round, in terms of both cooperation choice (61%, p =  .007) and cooperation probability after reciprocated defection (79%, p  = .007). This suggests that there could be a considerable anthropomorphisation bias towards computer opponents in social games, even for those without a human-like appearance. Conversely, a roulette may be a preferable non-social control when the opponent’s abilities are not explicit or familiar.
ISSN:1554-3528
1554-351X
1554-3528
DOI:10.3758/s13428-023-02071-y