What A Nonverbal Head Tilt Says About You… And Your Robot
Christopher Philip
Having humanoid robots as part of our daily lives is increasingly becoming likely. We may soon see these ‘creatures’ doing more day-to-day duties other than diligently vacuuming our carpets. However, creators of such beings understand that to be welcomed, they need to be not only functional, but also likeable.
From a body language perspective, we know that certain cues including posture and gesture play an important role in how we’re judged. New research is discovering that robots are judged much like humans and having the right nonverbals is extremely important for a robot to “sell its services.”
Researchers Martina Mara and Markus Appel devised a study to look at the effects of lateral head tilt in three humanoid robots (Asimo, Kojiro, Telenoid).
In the study, subjects view images of the three robots in various head tilt positions including upright or 0 degrees, 10 degrees or 20 degrees. The actual robots did not need to physically be able to tilt their heads, instead photographs of the robots were digitally manipulated with the help of computer software. These were then presented to observers who rated them across various traits.
Results showed that the robots in the titled posture had higher scores for human likeness, cuteness, and “spine-tinglingness.”
Telenoid and Kojiro received higher scores on “human likeness” than did Asimo likely because these two robots appear less robotic than does Asimo (which is more bulky).
Unlike in humans, though, and therefore unexpectedly, the head title did not lower dominance perceptions.
Past research has found that when people tilt their heads it boosts perceptions of shyness and submissiveness.
The researchers point out that other factors might play into robot perceptions including gaze direction and facial expressions. They correctly note that there is an interplay between many facets in nonverbal communication.
Certainly, as we increasingly embrace robots into our lives, it will become important to create them in our own image and likeness if we are to truly accept them and a large part of this will be not only in what they do for us, but also how they make us feel – no small part of which will be their nonverbal communication.
Finally, it’s important to note just how dramatic small changes in posture serve to influence the perception of others. If a lateral head tilt can make a hunk of mechanical parts appear more human-like and cute, it’s probable that it will have at least twice the effect for a real life human.
Resources
Martina Mara and Markus Appel. Effects of Lateral Head Tilt on User Perceptions of Humanoid and Android Robots. Computers in Human Behavior. 2019. 44: 326-334
Costa, M., Menzani, M., & Ricci Bitti, P. E. Head canting in paintings: An historical study. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior. 2001. 25: 63–73.
Costa, M., & Ricci Bitti, P. E. Face-ism effect and head canting in one’s own and others’ photographs. European Psychologist. 2000. 5: 293–301.
Keltner, D. The signs of appeasement: Evidence for the distinct displays of embarrassment, amusement, and shame. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1995. 68: 441–454.