A Meta-analysis on Children’s Trust in Social Robots

• Although research on children’s trust in social robots is increasingly growing in popularity, a systematic understanding of the factors which influence children’s trust in robots is lacking. In addition, meta-analyses in child–robot-interaction (cHRI) have yet to be popularly adopted as a method for synthesising results. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis aimed at identifying factors influencing children’s trust in robots. We constructed four meta-analytic models based on 20 identified studies, drawn from an initial pool of 414 papers, as a means of investigating the effect of robot embodiment and behaviour on both social and competency trust. Children’s pro-social attitudes towards social robots were also explored. There was tentative evidence to suggest that more human-like attributes lead to less competency trust in robots. In addition, we found a trend towards the type of measure that was used (subjective or objective) influencing the direction of effects for social trust. The meta-analysis also revealed a tendency towards under-powered designs, as well as variation in the methods and measures used to define trust. Nonetheless, we demonstrate that it is still possible to perform rigorous analyses despite these challenges. We also provide concrete methodological recommendations for future research, such as simplifying experimental designs, conducting a priori power analyses and clearer statistical reporting.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Data- och informationsvetenskap -- Människa-datorinteraktion (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Computer and Information Sciences -- Human Computer Interaction (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik -- Robotteknik och automation (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering -- Robotics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Trust

Social robot

Child robot interaction

Human robot interaction

Meta-analysis

Review

Robot errorsPro-social attitudes

Developmental

Människa-dator interaktion

Human-Computer Interaction

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)