Do Cursing Robots Influence Human Behavior?

Quick Summary

• Researchers at Oregon State University studied the impact of social robots using profanity during error responses.
• The study explored public reactions to robots failing tasks (e.g., bumping into tables) with three types of responses: no verbal reaction, non-expletive remarks, and expletive remarks.
• Surveys revealed that swearing robots had minimal negative effects and some positive outcomes in terms of perceived social closeness and humor, especially among university participants.
• College students rated swearing robots highly for likability and relatability compared to non-expletive or silent ones; the general public showed mixed reactions with concerns regarding discomfort but similar warmth ratings across all categories.
• In-person experiments confirmed prior online findings, suggesting acceptance for profanity remains unaffected when error acknowledgment occurs.
• Researchers plan to present findings at the IEEE International conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN) in 2025.

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Indian Opinion Analysis

The insights from this study underscore how cultural norms influence perceptions of technology. For India-a diverse society with strong traditions around language decorum-the concept of cursing robots might pose unique challenges relative to varying societal expectations. While urban or progressive spaces could align closer to findings from college campuses appreciating humor and relatability, rural settings or cultural groups emphasizing formal conduct could resist such behavior.From a broader perspective on human-robot interaction, India’s focus on expanding AI use in service sectors may benefit from thoughtful adaptations like customizable personality designs tailored regionally. As India rapidly integrates tech solutions into daily life, this experiment highlights how subtle shifts-like tone or language-can impact emotional connections between humans and machines. Indian innovators must approach robot design inclusively while balancing global experimentation with local sensitivities.