Black Cats and White Lies : Human-Robot Interactions in Dementia Care

• Robotic animals in the shape of cats, dogs and seals have become increasingly popular in dementia care during the last two decades. These robots are used both to make the user calm and passive and to engage users in interactions. Based on ethnography at four nursing homes and in-depth interviews with caregivers, the present study explores the use of white lies in interactions between robots, care recipients and caregivers. Findings suggest that the robots have the greatest impact on users when they believe the animal robots to be real animals. However, according to The Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics, caregivers should not lead users to believe that the robots have capacities that they do not in fact have, and that caregivers should avoid any misconceptions by giving users information about the nature and functions of the robots. We identify three different strategies that caregivers use when using the robots in care practice. First, caregivers make sure to be fully transparent about the robots, and give users straightforward information about the robots’ limited capacities. Second, caregivers can adhere to users’ own misconceptions about the robots. Third, some caregivers simply tell users with severe dementia that the robots are real, and act as if they wore. All approaches involve challenges: when caregivers tell ‘the truth’, users often forget this information, or choose to ignore it and approach the robots as animals. When caregivers follow or support the idea of the robot ‘as real’, this often leads to amplified misconceptions, potentially disproved by relatives. In conclusion, all three strategies risk nourishing white lies, but a special kind of “caring lie” that many interviewed caregivers support. 

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Sociologi -- Socialpsykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Sociology -- Social Psychology (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Arbetslivsstudier (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Work Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Care robotics

deception

deceptive practices

dementia care

elderly care

human-animal studies

human-robot interaction

technological entrapment

welfare technology

white lies

Working Life Studies

arbetslivsvetenskap

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