Dynamics of negative attitudes and anxiety toward interaction with humanoid robot: an experimental study

Background. The introduction of robotic technologies into various aspects of life and activity inevitably raises questions about human-robot interaction and attitudes toward robots as participants in these interactions. Currently, there are few experimental studies examining the dynamics of attitudes toward robots during real-world interactions. Objective. The study had its purpose to investigate the impact of interaction with a social robot VitruBot and the influence of interaction format (professional, free, and observational) on the dynamics of negative attitudes and anxiety toward robots. Study Participants. The study involved 106 participants (80 in the experimental group and 26 in the control group), all of whom were practicing doctors (M = 39.5 years, SD = 8.7). Methods. The study consisted of both an experimental and a survey component. In the experimental component, participants in the experimental group interacted with the social robot VitruBot across three formats: professional, free, and observational, and subsequently completed questionnaires. Participants in the control group took part only in the survey. The study implemented the Negative Attitude Toward Robots Scale and the Anxiety Scale Toward Robots. Results. The analysis of experimental data demonstrated: as a result of interaction with the VirtuBot, the negative attitude towards such interaction increases, while the assessment of the social influence of robots and the emotional aspects of interaction with them improves. Interaction with a robot also increases anxiety regarding the communicative characteristics of both the robot and the person interacting with it. The professional format of human-robot interaction helps to reduce the emotional and behavioral components of the negative attitudes to robots. The formats of free communication with robots and observation of the human-robot interaction increase the negative attitudes to robots and anxiety about interaction with them. Conclusions. Interaction with robots contributes to a reduction of negative attitudes toward them but increases anxiety about interaction with robots in general. The format of interaction—whether professional, free, or observational—emerges as a significant factor influencing changes in the negative attitudes and anxiety associated with human-robot interactions. The presented experimental study expands our understanding of the specifics of attitudes towards robots, positive and negative perceptions of them, and describes the dynamics of attitudes towards robots during direct interaction with them.