Psychological effects of short-term interaction with anthropomorphic robot among students at Perm State University

http://dx.doi.org/10.17072/2949‐5601-2026-2-96-109

Abstract

The article presents the results of an empirical study on the psychological effects of short-term interaction between students and an anthropomorphic robot. The aim of the study was to identify features of emotional states and subjective perception of the robot, as well as to analyze the role of personality traits and prior interaction experience. The sample included students of Perm State University (n = 37). The methods used were the PANAS scale, the Big Five personality questionnaire, and a semantic differential; statistical analysis included the Wilcoxon test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Spearman correlation analysis. The findings indicate that short-term interaction with the robot leads to an increase in positive affect, as well as higher levels of joy, engagement, and vigor, alongside a decrease in negative emotional states. At the same time, an increase in fear was observed, indicating an ambivalent emotional response. Differences were found between students with and without prior experience: lack of experience is associated with a more positive perception of the robot, whereas prior experience is linked to more critical evaluation and higher emotional tension. It was also shown that personality traits, particularly agreeableness and negative emotionality, significantly influence emotional responses and social attribution of the robot. The results confirm that an anthropomorphic robot is perceived as a social agent and exerts a complex psychological impact on users.