Connect With Me. Exploring Influencing Factors in a Human-Technology Relationship Based on Regular Chatbot Use.

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Social Robotics
• Digital Health

Background:

• Companion technologies like social robots and chatbots are increasingly integrated into daily life, particularly in healthcare.
• Understanding the human-technology relationship, especially long-term engagement, is crucial for effective application in health contexts.
• Felt social connectedness to technology influences user experience and potential health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the relationship between humans and conversational chatbots over a 2-week interaction period.
• To investigate factors influencing social connectedness to chatbots, including interaction patterns, user traits, and technology design (anthropomorphism, social presence).
• To examine the impact of social connectedness to chatbots on the desire for human-to-human socialization.

Main Methods:

• A 2-week study involving 58 participants interacting with a conversational chatbot.
• Daily and weekly questionnaires were administered to collect data on interaction duration, intensity, perceived anthropomorphism, social presence, and desire to socialize.
• Statistical analysis was used to examine the relationships between variables.

Main Results:

• Increased interaction duration and intensity positively correlated with social connectedness to the chatbot.
• Perceived anthropomorphism and social presence mediated the relationship between interaction intensity/duration and social connectedness.
• User characteristics did not influence the observed relationships; social connectedness to the chatbot did not decrease the desire for human interaction.

Conclusions:

• Regular interaction can foster social connectedness with technology, mirroring dynamics of interpersonal relationships.
• Technology design emphasizing anthropomorphism and social presence can enhance user-technology bonds and engagement.
• Careful consideration of anthropomorphic design is needed, alongside research into long-term societal impacts for responsible technology development.