What do Members of Parliament in India Think of Robots? Validation of the Frankenstein Syndrome Questionnaire and Comparison with Other Population Groups

Abstract

India is the second largest country in the world in terms of population and thus a considerable market for potential future robot applications as well as a location for manufacturing and production. While work has started to explore attitudes towards robots, very little is known about the perceptions of robots in India, particularly of political leaders who have the ability to effect rapid change. The present study administered the 30-item Frankenstein Syndrome Questionnaire to 31 Lok Sabha (Lower House) and Rajya Sabah (Upper House) members of the Indian Parliament (MPs) as well as doctors (n = 94), medical students (n = 493), and engineering students (n = 1104) for comparative purposes. Because no information had been available about the psychometric properties of the scale for use in India, a prior Rasch analysis explored the suitability of the commonly used five-factor model. The five subscales did not possess sufficient reliability, and a more psychometrically robust 26-item two-factor model (positive and negative attitudes) was utilized instead. The results revealed a higher degree of positive attitudes in MPs and doctors as compared to the two student groups. Negative attitudes, on the other hand, were strongest in doctors, followed by students. MPs had significantly less negative views compared to all other comparison groups. This study provides valuable insights into attitudes towards robots in India. In general, MPs appear to have more favourable views than comparison groups in India. A slightly shorter and more parsimonious version of the Frankenstein Syndrome Questionnaire has now also been proposed, with improved psychometric properties.