scholarly journals From automata to animate beings: The scope and limits of attributing socialness to artificial agents

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruud Hortensius ◽  
Emily S. Cross
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Visual Features ◽  
Human Observer ◽  
Artificial Agents ◽  
Theoretical Account ◽  
Social Attributions ◽  
The Impact

Understanding the mechanisms and consequences of attributing socialness to artificial agents has important implications for how we can use technology to lead more productive and fulfilling lives. Here, we integrate recent findings on the factors that shape behavioural and brain mechanisms that support social interactions between humans and artificial agents. We review how visual features of an agent, as well as knowledge factors within the human observer, shape attributions across dimensions of socialness. We explore how anthropomorphism and dehumanization further influence how we perceive and interact with artificial agents. Based on these findings, we argue that the cognitive reconstruction within the human observer is likely to be far more crucial in shaping our interactions with artificial agents than previously thought, while the artificial agent’s visual features are possibly of lesser importance. We integrate these findings to provide an integrative theoretical account based on the “like me” hypothesis, and discuss the key role played by the Theory-of-Mind network, especially the temporal parietal junction, in the shift from mechanistic to social attributions. We conclude by highlighting outstanding questions on the impact of long-term interactions with artificial agents on the behavioural and brain mechanisms of attributing socialness to these agents.

The Impact of Impaired “Theory of Mind” on Social Interactions in Schizophrenia

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 511-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary H. Kosmidis ◽  
Maria Giannakou ◽  
Giorgos Garyfallos ◽  
Grigoris Kiosseoglou ◽  
Vassilis P. Bozikas
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Neuropsychological Functioning ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Duration Of Illness ◽  
Symptom Ratings ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Healthy Participants

AbstractGiven the importance of social dysfunction in schizophrenia, many studies have explored how social cognition, and, particularly, Theory of Mind (ToM) may affect patients’ social interactions. In the present study, we investigated the impact of ToM deficits on social interactions, taking into account overall neuropsychological functioning as well as clinical and demographic characteristics. We assessed 28 patients with schizophrenia and 30 healthy participants on a series of tasks including tests of ToM, neuropsychological tests focused on functions potentially relevant to ToM and role plays as an indicator of social interactions. Patients performed more poorly than healthy controls across most ToM and some of the neuropsychological tests. Correlations and hierarchical regression analyses indicated the impact of some, but not all, facets of ToM on patients’ social interactions, over and above neuropsychological functioning, positive and negative symptom ratings, duration of illness and demographic characteristics. These findings suggest that remediation of ToM deficits in patients with schizophrenia may help to improve their social interactions. (JINS, 2011, 17, 511–521)

scholarly journals Developing and evaluating tools to assess the impact of chimpanzee sanctuaries via a unique zoo-sanctuary partnership

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethany K Hansen ◽  
Stephen R Ross ◽  
Lydia M Hopper ◽  
Amy Fultz
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
The Public ◽  
Visitor Behavior ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Standardized Protocol ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Lincoln Park ◽  
Term Data

Sanctuaries are crucial to the survival and welfare of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). They also play an important role in educating the public about chimpanzee behavior and conservation. However, as many sanctuaries lack the capacity to collect long-term data, there is no standardized protocol for evaluating these aims. To address this, the Lincoln Park Zoo, USA, has partnered with Chimp Haven, Inc., USA. Chimp Haven houses nearly 200 chimpanzees in several enclosure types including traditional indoor-outdoor runs (~20m2 in area), open-top corrals (~300m2), and large forested habitats (up to 24,000m2). By leveraging the expertise from both institutions we will evaluate the aims of the sanctuary considering both the behavior and welfare of the chimpanzees and the impact of the sanctuary’s public education program. To address the first aim, we will use non-invasive focal observations to evaluate whether and how different housing types affect the chimpanzees’ activity budgets, enclosure usage, and social interactions. To inquire about the success of the second aim, we will evaluate education programs at Chimp Haven during which the public can view the chimpanzees. We will investigate whether public viewing opportunities affect the chimpanzees’ behavior through the use of observational data collected on the chimpanzees. Simultaneously, we will evaluate the learning outcomes and attitudes of visitors at Chimp Haven, using questionnaires and observations of visitor behavior. Findings from this research will inform decisions about the care and management of captive chimpanzees. This research will also provide information about how sanctuaries can best engage and educate the public.

Comparative Study of the Social Interactions of Two Differently Designed Long-Term Care Facilities for Individuals With Acquired Brain Injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 84-98
Author(s):  
David Brodsky ◽  
Mardelle McCuskey Shepley
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Behavioral Observation ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Impact

Aim: This study focused on long-term care (LTC) settings for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). The goals were (1) to assess the impact of facility configuration on social interactions between residents and staff and (2) obtain a better understanding of staff and resident perceptions of the built environment. Background: A few studies have explored the relationship between the built environment and social interaction in LTC facilities, but there is little empirical data about ABI-specific LTC facilities. Methods: A literature review was conducted on the impact of the built environment on the LTC of brain injury survivors. Via a questionnaire, staff and residents in two settings, one with patient rooms off corridors and the other with patient rooms surrounding a common space, rated the effectiveness of the built environment in promoting social interaction. Behavioral observation was conducted on 18 residents for a duration of 4 hr per resident. Results: Via questionnaires, staff rated the corridor facility as more effective in promoting social interaction, but no significant differences were found between the assessments of the two resident populations. Contrary to staff questionnaire results, residents in the open configuration facility exhibited more social behaviors. Conclusions: Building configuration may impact social interaction between staff and residents in ABI-specific LTC facilities and potentially impact staff and resident quality of life. However, configuration cannot be viewed in a vacuum; residents’ physical and mental limitations, demographic information, and staff engagement must be also considered.

SOCIAL DISTANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 860-881
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Varvarigos ◽  
Guangyi Xin
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Capital Stock ◽  
Capital Accumulation ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Path Dependency ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
The Impact

We show that path dependency in economic development can emerge in a model where social distance affects capital accumulation. This effect works through the impact of social interactions on individuals’ incentives to invest. Social distance evolves intergenerationally, as the process of social interactions with people from different backgrounds generates familiarity and experiences that are bequeathed to the next generation, thus shaping their perceptions and opinions about “outsiders.” A key result is the possibility of alienation among people who belong to different groups, if social distance is above a threshold. The initial conditions with respect to social distance and the capital stock can both be critical in determining the economy’s long-term prospects.

scholarly journals The shaping of social perception by stimulus and knowledge cues to human animacy

2016 ◽  
Vol 371 (1686) ◽  
pp. 20150075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily S. Cross ◽  
Richard Ramsey ◽  
Roman Liepelt ◽  
Wolfgang Prinz ◽  
Antonia F. de C. Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Person Perception ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Artificial Agents ◽  
Social Brain ◽  
Physical Features ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Perception Action

Although robots are becoming an ever-growing presence in society, we do not hold the same expectations for robots as we do for humans, nor do we treat them the same. As such, the ability to recognize cues to human animacy is fundamental for guiding social interactions. We review literature that demonstrates cortical networks associated with person perception, action observation and mentalizing are sensitive to human animacy information. In addition, we show that most prior research has explored stimulus properties of artificial agents (humanness of appearance or motion), with less investigation into knowledge cues (whether an agent is believed to have human or artificial origins). Therefore, currently little is known about the relationship between stimulus and knowledge cues to human animacy in terms of cognitive and brain mechanisms. Using fMRI, an elaborate belief manipulation, and human and robot avatars, we found that knowledge cues to human animacy modulate engagement of person perception and mentalizing networks, while stimulus cues to human animacy had less impact on social brain networks. These findings demonstrate that self–other similarities are not only grounded in physical features but are also shaped by prior knowledge. More broadly, as artificial agents fulfil increasingly social roles, a challenge for roboticists will be to manage the impact of pre-conceived beliefs while optimizing human-like design.

The impact of oral health on body image and social interactions among elders in long-term care

Gerodontology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 480-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leeann R. Donnelly ◽  
Laura Hurd Clarke ◽  
Alison Phinney ◽  
Michael I. MacEntee
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals The Effects of Psychosocial Stress on Memory and Cognitive Ability: A Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth McManus ◽  
Deborah Talmi ◽  
Hamied Haroon ◽  
Nils Muhlert
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Psychosocial Stress ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Stress Induction ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe impact of stress on cognitive abilities, such as memory, is well documented in animal studies but it is not yet clear how stress in human social interactions affects memory. This review systematically explored the evidence regarding the effects of psychosocial stress on memory and associated cognitive abilities. PubMed, PsycInfo and Web of Science databases were searched for studies assessing the effects of psychosocial stress on long-term memory or related cognitive functions. Fifty-one studies were identified and compared based on the timing of stress induction. No overall effect of psychosocial stress induction was seen on long-term or working memory regardless of whether stress induction occurred following encoding or before retrieval. Psychosocial stress had a moderate effect in studies comparing memory for emotional compared to neutral stimuli, but the direction of this effect varied across studies. Psychosocial stress decreased performance on executive function tasks. Our findings demonstrate that psychosocial stress may not have the clear effects on memory previously ascribed to it, suggesting potentially different mechanisms from physiological stressors.

scholarly journals Developing and evaluating tools to assess the impact of chimpanzee sanctuaries via a unique zoo-sanctuary partnership

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethany K Hansen ◽  
Stephen R Ross ◽  
Lydia M Hopper ◽  
Amy Fultz
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
The Public ◽  
Visitor Behavior ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Standardized Protocol ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Lincoln Park ◽  
Term Data

Sanctuaries are crucial to the survival and welfare of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). They also play an important role in educating the public about chimpanzee behavior and conservation. However, as many sanctuaries lack the capacity to collect long-term data, there is no standardized protocol for evaluating these aims. To address this, the Lincoln Park Zoo, USA, has partnered with Chimp Haven, Inc., USA. Chimp Haven houses nearly 200 chimpanzees in several enclosure types including traditional indoor-outdoor runs (~20m2 in area), open-top corrals (~300m2), and large forested habitats (up to 24,000m2). By leveraging the expertise from both institutions we will evaluate the aims of the sanctuary considering both the behavior and welfare of the chimpanzees and the impact of the sanctuary’s public education program. To address the first aim, we will use non-invasive focal observations to evaluate whether and how different housing types affect the chimpanzees’ activity budgets, enclosure usage, and social interactions. To inquire about the success of the second aim, we will evaluate education programs at Chimp Haven during which the public can view the chimpanzees. We will investigate whether public viewing opportunities affect the chimpanzees’ behavior through the use of observational data collected on the chimpanzees. Simultaneously, we will evaluate the learning outcomes and attitudes of visitors at Chimp Haven, using questionnaires and observations of visitor behavior. Findings from this research will inform decisions about the care and management of captive chimpanzees. This research will also provide information about how sanctuaries can best engage and educate the public.

Suppressed, but Not Forgotten

2011 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beat Meier ◽  
Anja König ◽  
Samuel Parak ◽  
Katharina Henke
Keyword(s):  
Memory Trace ◽  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Test Phase ◽  
Indirect Test ◽  
Final Test ◽  
Test Experiment ◽  
And Control ◽  
Cue Words ◽  
The Impact

This study investigates the impact of thought suppression over a 1-week interval. In two experiments with 80 university students each, we used the think/no-think paradigm in which participants initially learn a list of word pairs (cue-target associations). Then they were presented with some of the cue words again and should either respond with the target word or avoid thinking about it. In the final test phase, their memory for the initially learned cue-target pairs was tested. In Experiment 1, type of memory test was manipulated (i.e., direct vs. indirect). In Experiment 2, type of no-think instructions was manipulated (i.e., suppress vs. substitute). Overall, our results showed poorer memory for no-think and control items compared to think items across all experiments and conditions. Critically, however, more no-think than control items were remembered after the 1-week interval in the direct, but not in the indirect test (Experiment 1) and with thought suppression, but not thought substitution instructions (Experiment 2). We suggest that during thought suppression a brief reactivation of the learned association may lead to reconsolidation of the memory trace and hence to better retrieval of suppressed than control items in the long term.

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