Humans usually favor the company of beings similar to them and it is therefore natural to assume that with increasing human likeness, robots and artificial characters become more likeable and accepted. However, this is only true up to a point where the dynamic is reversed and synthetic characters appear uncanny. Thus, increased realism does not necessarily lead to an increase in acceptance. This phenomenon is called the "Uncanny Valley" and was first proposed by Masahiro Mori in 1970. It has recently sparked more interest due to advancements in robot development and computer animation and therefore a potential relevance in the robot, movie and video game industries as well as for scientific computer simulations. The theory of the Uncanny Valley is not undisputed, which is why this paper aims to present both evidence in favor and arguments against its existence or interpretation. Furthermore, the phenomenon shall be examined in more detail, investigating its backgrounds, possible explanations, influencing factors and its consequences on android design. Among the issues to be further investigated that were found in the discussion are alternative stimuli, the empirical measurement of the uncanny response, a universal categorization system, and the usefulness of the Uncanny Valley as a design guide. There are indications that the relationship between human likeness and likeability may not be as clear as proposed by Mori, but more-dimensional with additional factors to consider.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Theory of the Uncanny Valley
- Empirical and anecdotal evidence
- Explanatory approaches
- Framing theory and prediction errors
- Evolution
- Terror management
- Critique
- Additional influencing factors
- Contrasting results and updated models
- The Uncanny Valley beyond appearance
- Consequences for Android Design
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Uncanny Valley phenomenon, exploring both supporting and opposing arguments regarding its existence and interpretation. It investigates the underlying causes, influencing factors, and consequences for android design. Furthermore, it examines alternative stimuli, empirical measurement methods, and the overall usefulness of the Uncanny Valley as a design guideline.
- The Uncanny Valley theory and its validity
- Empirical evidence supporting and contradicting the Uncanny Valley
- Explanations for the Uncanny Valley (framing theory, evolutionary perspectives, terror management)
- The implications of the Uncanny Valley for android design
- Alternative perspectives and updated models of the Uncanny Valley
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter introduces the increasing use of robots and androids in various settings, highlighting the need for likeable designs to optimize acceptance, particularly in domestic environments. It clarifies the ambiguous use of "robot" and "android" in literature, defining "android" as a highly human-like robot designed to resemble humans. The chapter then introduces the Uncanny Valley theory and outlines the paper's structure.
The Theory of the Uncanny Valley: This chapter delves into Mori's Uncanny Valley theory, which posits an inverse relationship between a robot's human likeness and its likeability. It presents both empirical and anecdotal evidence, including studies using morphed images and fMRI scans, supporting and challenging the theory's validity. The chapter also explores various explanatory approaches, including framing theory (prediction errors arising from mismatched expectations), evolutionary explanations (disgust response to potential disease), and terror management theory (fear of mortality and replacement). Finally, it critically examines the theory's limitations, considering additional influencing factors like aesthetics, functionality, and cultural context, along with contrasting empirical findings and updated models proposing alternative interpretations like the "Uncanny Cliff" or "Uncanny Wall."
Consequences for Android Design: This chapter discusses the implications of the Uncanny Valley for the design of androids and other artificial characters. It highlights the industry's attempts to avoid the Uncanny Valley by reducing human-like features, as well as criticisms of this approach, which are argued to hinder innovation. The chapter examines recommendations for designing appealing robots, emphasizing aesthetics, functionality, emotion displays, and the importance of congruency between different features to achieve high levels of acceptance.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Uncanny Valley, humanoid robot, human likeness, likeability, eeriness, android design, perception errors, framing theory, evolutionary psychology, terror management, empirical evidence, aesthetic design, social robots, computer animation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the Uncanny Valley phenomenon. It explores both supporting and opposing arguments regarding its existence and interpretation, investigates underlying causes and influencing factors, and examines its consequences for android design. The paper also considers alternative stimuli, empirical measurement methods, and the overall usefulness of the Uncanny Valley as a design guideline.
What is the Uncanny Valley?
The Uncanny Valley theory posits an inverse relationship between a robot's human likeness and its likeability. As robots become increasingly human-like, their perceived likeability initially increases, but then drops significantly within a specific range of near-human resemblance before potentially rising again with higher levels of realism. This dip in likeability is the "Uncanny Valley."
What evidence supports and contradicts the Uncanny Valley theory?
The paper presents both empirical and anecdotal evidence related to the Uncanny Valley. Empirical evidence includes studies using morphed images and fMRI scans. However, the paper also acknowledges contradicting findings and discusses updated models that propose alternative interpretations, such as the "Uncanny Cliff" or "Uncanny Wall."
What are the proposed explanations for the Uncanny Valley?
Several explanations are explored, including framing theory (prediction errors from mismatched expectations), evolutionary explanations (disgust response to potential disease), and terror management theory (fear of mortality and replacement).
What are the implications of the Uncanny Valley for android design?
The Uncanny Valley significantly impacts android design. The industry often tries to avoid the valley by reducing human-like features. However, the paper also critiques this approach, arguing that it can hinder innovation. Recommendations for designing appealing robots focus on aesthetics, functionality, emotion displays, and congruency between features to achieve high acceptance levels.
What are some alternative perspectives and updated models of the Uncanny Valley?
The paper critiques the limitations of the original Uncanny Valley theory, considering additional factors like aesthetics, functionality, and cultural context. It also discusses alternative models like the "Uncanny Cliff" or "Uncanny Wall," which offer different interpretations of the relationship between human likeness and likeability.
What are the key themes explored in this paper?
Key themes include the validity of the Uncanny Valley theory, empirical evidence supporting and contradicting it, explanations for the Uncanny Valley (framing theory, evolutionary perspectives, terror management), implications for android design, and alternative perspectives and updated models.
What are the chapter summaries?
The paper includes summaries of three chapters: an introduction setting the context and defining key terms; a chapter deeply exploring the Uncanny Valley theory, its supporting and opposing evidence, and explanatory approaches; and a concluding chapter focusing on the implications of the Uncanny Valley for android design and recommendations for creating more appealing robots.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Uncanny Valley, humanoid robot, human likeness, likeability, eeriness, android design, perception errors, framing theory, evolutionary psychology, terror management, empirical evidence, aesthetic design, social robots, and computer animation.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Andrea Attwenger (Autor:in), 2016, An exploration of the Uncanny Valley and its consequences, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/385582
