Higher trust toward exclusive robots in a multiplayer human-robot interaction game
Journal
Discover Psychology
Journal Volume
6
Journal Issue
1
ISSN
2731-4537
Date Issued
2025-12-11
Author(s)
Abstract
This study examined the effects of robot inclusion and exclusion on human-robot interaction, explicitly focusing on rapport and trust. Inspired by the Cyberball paradigm in social psychology, the research employed a novel adaptation called the “Radish Squat” game, which involved two humanoid robots and one human participant interacting. One robot exhibited inclusive behavior by frequently involving the participant, while the other displayed exclusive behavior by ignoring the participant. Fifty university students participated in the game and provided feedback on their experiences. The study successfully created a unique experimental setup using physical robots in a three-way interaction scenario, enhancing our understanding of social dynamics in human-robot interactions. While the results did not show significant differences in rapport between inclusive and exclusive robots, an unexpected finding emerged: participants reported higher trust toward the exclusive robot. This counterintuitive result highlights the complexity of human-robot relationships and underscores the need to investigate further the psychological mechanisms that influence trust in social robots. The study contributes to the growing knowledge of human-robot interaction by exploring the subtle effects of social cues on human perceptions and behaviors toward robots. The findings suggest that game dynamics, cultural influences, and individual differences might be crucial in shaping human-robot interactions. Future research should further explore these aspects to enhance the design and implementation of social robots that can build meaningful and trustworthy relationships with humans.
Subjects
Cyberball paradigm
Human-Robot interaction (HRI)
Rapport
Social exclusion
Social robotics
Trust
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Type
journal article