When Function Follows Form: Anthropomorphism of Artifact “Faces”

Abstract

Participants rated machine “faces” which varied in terms of eye size, eye shape, distance between eyes, and relationship to background color (white on black or black on white). Ratings were made for aggression, friendliness, intelligence, trustworthiness, and degree of animation. In addition, reaction time was collected for all ratings. Large, round, and close-set eyes were perceived most negatively across ratings. Aggression ratings were predicted by simple variables, whereas trustworthiness ratings were predicted by interactions among variables. Some judgments of form require the assessment of specific features, whereas others rely on a “gestalt” assessment of many features simultaneously. Humans attribute personality characteristics to minimal features, suggesting that form of intelligent artifacts is important in predicting human interactions with that item.