Could a rising robot workforce make humans less prejudiced?

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Sociology
• Human-Robot Interaction

Background:

• Automation and robot workers are increasingly common, raising questions about their societal impact.
• While economic effects are studied, the social impact on intergroup relations remains less explored.
• Previous research suggests increased robots may heighten prejudice, but an alternative hypothesis is proposed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how the rise of robot workers influences intergroup relations and prejudice.
• To explore the potential of automation to reduce social divisions by fostering a sense of shared humanity.
• To examine the mediating role of panhumanism in the relationship between robot salience and prejudice reduction.

Main Methods:

• Six studies were conducted with a total of 3,312 participants (ΣN = 3,312).
• Methods included correlational analysis (anxiety prediction), experimental priming (robot salience), and economic simulations.
• Mediational analyses were used to test the role of panhumanism.

Main Results:

• Anxiety about robot workers correlated with reduced anxiety towards human outgroups.
• Priming robot salience decreased prejudice, increased acceptance of outgroup members, and promoted wage equality.
• The effects were mediated by panhumanism, indicating a common human identity reduces prejudice.

Conclusions:

• Automation and the salience of robot workers can reduce intergroup prejudice by promoting panhumanism.
• The impact of automation on intergroup relations is complex, potentially reducing tensions in some contexts.
• Highlighting shared human identity offers a pathway to mitigate social divisions exacerbated by technological change.