Receiving human and android facial mimicry induces empathic experiences and oxytocin release

Receiving facial mimicry enhances subjective empathic experiences; however, few studies have investigated its effect on hormonal responses. Likewise, few studies on facial mimicry by robots that could induce subjective and hormonal responses have been conducted. We hypothesized that individuals’ perceptions of facial mimicry by humans and androids could induce empathic experiences and oxytocin release. We conducted two experiments, in which participants performed various scenarios facing one and then the other of two judges: only one mimicked participants’ facial expressions in most trials. In Experiment 1, 62 female participants were tested with female human confederates. In Experiment 2, 56 female participants were tested with female android judges. The mimicking human and android judges were rated more empathetic and personable than those that were non-mimicking, and the salivary oxytocin levels increased when mimicking was in play. Partial correlation analysis revealed that the extent of human likeness of an android judge uniquely predicted an increase in the salivary oxytocin level during human–android interaction. These data suggested that receiving human mimicry facilitated both subjective and hormonal empathic responses. Furthermore, even android mimicry elicited comparative responses, with the implication that android mimicry, which conveys empathy, could effectively enhance social bonding with users and improve the quality of interactions. • Automated coding of participants’ facial actions enabled android facial mimicry • Human and android facial mimicry enhances empathetic feelings and oxytocin levels • Subjective android human-likeliness predicts participant salivary oxytocin increase