Lonely human and dominant robot: Similarity versus complementary attraction

While social robots can provide companionship, people hesitate to connect with them. This research delves into a neglected question: How can we enhance the probability of potential users, especially those grappling with loneliness, connecting with companion robots to fulfill their social needs? Building upon the friendliness–dominance model and attraction theory in social psychology, our six studies reveal that individuals experiencing greater loneliness hold generally less favorable attitudes toward the idea of adopting robotic companionship. However, lonelier individuals show a higher inclination to bond with robots that act submissive rather than dominant ones. This research contributes to the understanding of human–robot interaction by examining how human traits and their perceptions of robot personalities jointly influence the interaction. The results have significant implications for guiding the design of robot product attributes to enhance their appeal to individuals experiencing varying degrees of loneliness.