In robot we trust? The effect of emotional expressions and contextual cues on anthropomorphic trustworthiness

Following the evolution of technology and its application in various daily contexts, social robots work as an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system to interact with humans. However, limited research has been done to discuss the role of emotional expressions and contextual cues in influencing anthropomorphic trustworthiness, especially from the design perspective. To address this research gap, the current study designed a specific robot prototype and conducted two lab experiments to explore the effect of emotional expressions and contextual cues on trustworthiness via a combination of subjective ratings and physiological measures. Results showed that: 1) positive (vs. negative) emotional expressions enjoyed a higher level of anthropomorphic trustworthiness and visual attention; 2) regulatory fit was expanded in parasocial interaction and worked as a prime to activate anthropomorphic trustworthiness for social robots. Theoretical contributions and design implications were also discussed in this study.