The Background Context Condition for the Uncanny Valley Hypothesis

Paweł Łupkowski,Dagmara Dziedzic,Wojciech Włodarczyk,Marek Rybka

doi:10.1007/s12369-018-0490-7

Paweł Łupkowski, Dagmara Dziedzic + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-018-0490-7

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Abstract

We present the results of the background context condition experiment for the uncanny valley hypothesis. Subjects were presented with 12 computer-generated 3D models in two background variants. For the first group 12 models were rendered on a neutral background (empty room) and for the second group the same models were rendered on a suitable background, which was relevant to a given model (science-fiction scenery, town etc.). The aim of this study was to check whether the background context would influence differences in comfort level, human-likeness rating and emotional reaction to the models. A statistically significant difference in comfort levels was observed only for one of the models, the same situation was noticed for emotional reactions. We also tested the possibility of existence of more than one uncanny valley related to different factors as suggested in Kätsyri et al. (Front Psychol 6:390, 2015. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00390).

Highlights

IntroductionMori hypothesises that when we present a subject with a series of different human-like models (including robots) certain models will trigger negative reactions (uneasiness, eeriness)
The uncanny valley hypothesis has been formulated by Mori [9]
We have prepared two sets of stimuli: (A) models presented on a neutral background and (B) the same models rendered on a suitable background, which was relevant to a given model

Summary

Introduction

Mori hypothesises that when we present a subject with a series of different human-like models (including robots) certain models will trigger negative reactions (uneasiness, eeriness). As he claims these will be almost human-like characters. We may imagine models presented in order, from the least human-like (like e.g., robotic arm) to the most human-like ones on the X axis. On the Y axis we would present the affinity level. According to Mori’s suggestion we would observe a growing level of affinity as we move towards human-like models, but on a certain level of human-likeness the level of affinity will rapidly get lower,

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