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Whether We Care, How We Reason: The Dual Role of Anthropomorphism and Moral Foundations in Robot Abuse

Fan Yang, Renkai Ma, Yaxin Hu, Lingyao Li

TL;DR

This study investigates how anthropomorphism and moral foundations influence responses to robot abuse. It uses a mixed-methods design (N=201) with three robot designs varying in humanness and a combination of quantitative measures and open-ended responses. Key findings show that anthropomorphism gates whether people extend moral consideration to robots, while moral foundations shape how they reason about that consideration, with distinct qualitative patterns across progressivism and robot form. The results have practical implications for robot design, policy communication, and tailored messaging to different moral audiences.

Abstract

As robots become increasingly integrated into daily life, understanding responses to robot mistreatment carries important ethical and design implications. This mixed-methods study (N = 201) examined how anthropomorphic levels and moral foundations shape reactions to robot abuse. Participants viewed videos depicting physical mistreatment of robots varying in humanness (Spider, Twofoot, Humanoid) and completed measures assessing moral foundations, anger, and social distance. Results revealed that anthropomorphism determines whether people extend moral consideration to robots, while moral foundations shape how they reason about such consideration. Qualitative analysis revealed distinct reasoning patterns: low-progressivism individuals employed character-based judgments, while high-progressivism individuals engaged in future-oriented moral deliberation. Findings offer implications for robot design and policy communication.

Whether We Care, How We Reason: The Dual Role of Anthropomorphism and Moral Foundations in Robot Abuse

TL;DR

This study investigates how anthropomorphism and moral foundations influence responses to robot abuse. It uses a mixed-methods design (N=201) with three robot designs varying in humanness and a combination of quantitative measures and open-ended responses. Key findings show that anthropomorphism gates whether people extend moral consideration to robots, while moral foundations shape how they reason about that consideration, with distinct qualitative patterns across progressivism and robot form. The results have practical implications for robot design, policy communication, and tailored messaging to different moral audiences.

Abstract

As robots become increasingly integrated into daily life, understanding responses to robot mistreatment carries important ethical and design implications. This mixed-methods study (N = 201) examined how anthropomorphic levels and moral foundations shape reactions to robot abuse. Participants viewed videos depicting physical mistreatment of robots varying in humanness (Spider, Twofoot, Humanoid) and completed measures assessing moral foundations, anger, and social distance. Results revealed that anthropomorphism determines whether people extend moral consideration to robots, while moral foundations shape how they reason about such consideration. Qualitative analysis revealed distinct reasoning patterns: low-progressivism individuals employed character-based judgments, while high-progressivism individuals engaged in future-oriented moral deliberation. Findings offer implications for robot design and policy communication.
Paper Structure (13 sections, 2 figures, 1 table)

This paper contains 13 sections, 2 figures, 1 table.

Table of Contents

  1. INTRODUCTION
  2. METHODS
  3. Research Stimuli and Design
  4. Measures
  5. RESULTS
  6. Quantitative Reactions
  7. Qualitative Responses
  8. Low Progressivism × Low Anthropomorphism
  9. High Progressivism × Low Anthropomorphism
  10. Low Progressivism × High Anthropomorphism
  11. High Progressivism × High Anthropomorphism
  12. DISCUSSION
  13. CONCLUSION

Figures (2)

  • Figure 1: Video stimuli of robot mistreatment and questionnaires participants filled after watching one of the three videos.
  • Figure 2: Qualitative response patterns by progressivism and anthropomorphic design features. Themes were identified through thematic analysis of participants' open-ended responses across four conditions created by crossing moral orientation (high vs. low progressivism) with robot type (low vs. high anthropomorphic design features). Each quadrant displays key themes organized by immediate reactions, moral reasoning, and social implications.