Preschoolers' and adults' animism tendencies toward a humanoid robot

This study examined whether three- and five-year-old children adults changed their perceptions of a robot after naturalistic interaction with it. We participants exhibited animism errors (i.e., attributing biological properties to target in addition psychological, perceptual, name properties) or agentic name, artifact while not before they interacted the robot. Results indicated that three-year-olds made errors: were more likely than older attribute robot, although this tendency decreased interaction. The five-year-olds did interaction, suggesting make errors. Additionally, attributed perceptual showed similar, yet modest tendency. Thus, tended exhibit animism. Through discussion differences between young children's participants' animism, we found it is necessary further topic create robots are better suited people's needs.