Mind the Robot! Variation in Attributions of Mind to a Wide Set of Real and Fictional Robots

Abstract

The rapid rise of computing power has prompted the desire to develop more social, human-like robots. Quantitatively comparing different computing systems on their ability to simulate human qualities has been a major technical challenge. A recent framework put forth by Gray et al. (Science 315(5812):619, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1134475) provides promise as a new means for comparing robots. While the framework has been validated for assessing individual robots with different descriptions, or different behaviours, the framework has not been applied to a wider landscape of robots and machines situated amongst other characters. The present study sought to investigate attributions of mind towards a wide range of real and fictional robots. We asked participants to rate the agency (the ability “to do”) and experience (the ability “to feel”) of 24 characters made up of humans, robots, inanimate objects, and animals. Although robots were collectively rated lower than humans on agency and experience, there was significant variation among robots—even when fictional robots were omitted. The results of this investigation suggest that building robots that are perceived to feel is a fruitful avenue for future development as people are more open to perceiving aspects of mind in a wider range of robots than previously established. Our results also indicate that age is a critical factor in people’s attributions of mind to robots, suggesting that there may be a generational shift towards greater acceptance of robots’ ability to both do and feel.