Social robots are good for me, but better for other people：The presumed allo-enhancement effect of social robot perceptions

Abstract

This research proposes and investigates the presumed allo-enhancement effect of social robot perceptions, a tendency for individuals to view social robots as more beneficial for others than for themselves. We discuss this as a systematic bias in the perception of the utility of social robots. Through two survey studies, we test and replicate self-other perceptual differences, obtain effect sizes of these perceptual differences, and trace the impact of this presumed allo-enhancement effect on individuals' attitudes and behaviors. Analyses revealed strong perceptual differences, where individuals consistently believed social robots to be more enhancing for others than for themselves (d = −0.69, d = −0.62). These perceptual differences predicted individuals’ attitudes and endorsed behaviors towards social robots. By identifying this bias, we offer a new theoretical lens for understanding how people perceive and respond to emergent technologies.