ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R
主办:中国科学院心理研究所
出版:科学出版社

心理科学进展 ›› 2023, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (9): 1742-1755.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1042.2023.01742

• 研究前沿 • 上一篇    下一篇

从“拟人归因”到“联盟建立”:人与聊天机器人关系对参与度的影响

磨然1, 方建东1,2,3, 常保瑞1,2,3()   

  1. 1广西师范大学教育学部心理学系, 桂林 541006
    2广西师范大学教育区块链与智能技术教育部重点实验室, 桂林 541004
    3广西高校人文社会科学重点研究基地广西民族教育发展研究中心, 桂林 541006
  • 收稿日期:2022-11-14 出版日期:2023-09-15 发布日期:2023-05-31
  • 通讯作者: 常保瑞 E-mail:bdjs2004@163.com
  • 基金资助:
    2023年度广西高等教育本科教学改革工程一般项目(2023JGA131)

From anthropomorphic attribution to alliance establishment: The effect of human-chatbot relationships on engagement

MO Ran1, FANG Jiandong1,2,3, CHANG Baorui1,2,3()   

  1. 1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541006, China
    2Key Lab of Education Blockchain and Intelligent Technology, Ministry of Education, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, China
    3Guangxi Ethnic Education Development Research Center, Key research base of Humanities and Social Sciences in Guangxi Universities, Guilin 541006, China
  • Received:2022-11-14 Online:2023-09-15 Published:2023-05-31
  • Contact: CHANG Baorui E-mail:bdjs2004@163.com

摘要:

随着人工智能(Artificial Intelligence, AI)技术的迅猛发展, AI聊天机器人可模拟人类指导以改善在线自助干预(Internet-based Self-help Interventions, ISIs)中用户的参与度及疗效。然而, 学界对聊天机器人作用机制的探索尚处初期阶段。因此, 为加深对这一问题的理性认识, 文章基于人机关系的视角提出了适应ISIs情境的理论模型:聊天机器人可与用户经历拟人归因、功利性价值判断、发展依恋关系、建立数字治疗联盟(Digital Therapeutic Alliance, DTA)这4个阶段来逐步发展人与聊天机器人关系(Human−Chatbot Relationships, HCRs), 并通过HCRs提高用户参与度。未来研究可继续丰富HCRs的相关理论并检验其内在机制, 基于HCRs理论来设计聊天机器人, 深入考察影响HCRs的额外变量, 统一参与度的操作定义并开发适合的参与度测量工具。

关键词: 聊天机器人, 参与度, 人与聊天机器人关系

Abstract:

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, AI chatbots have shown great potential in simulating human guidance to improve the engagement and efficacy of Internet-based self-help interventions (ISIs). Given that studies on the mechanisms of chatbots are still in the early stages, there is a need to conduct research that can help deepen our rational understanding of designing more targeted chatbots and further promoting the effectiveness of ISIs. Recently, researchers have focused on human-chatbot relationships (HCRs) and have attempted to explain the mechanisms of chatbot effectiveness from this perspective. As HCRs share some similarities with human-human relationships (HHRs), some HHR theories, such as social penetration theory, may be used to explain HCRs in ISIs. However, relying solely on HHR theories to explain HCRs in ISIs has some limitations, such as overlooking the early cognitive processing of human-computer interactions (HCIs) and ignoring the core goals of psychotherapy in ISIs. In response to these limitations, we propose a theoretical model that is particularly suitable for the ISI context from the perspective of HCI. Our model suggests that chatbots can gradually develop relationships with users through four stages: anthropomorphic attribution, utilitarian value judgment, attachment relationship development, and the establishment of the digital therapeutic alliance (DTA). These can ultimately promote user engagement through HCRs. First, when users interact with chatbots, they unconsciously treat them as if they were actual persons due to their human-like qualities or conversational ability, resulting in anthropomorphic attribution. As a result, users tend to interact with chatbots through interpersonal communication strategies. The effect of anthropomorphism will be amplified as the frequency of interaction increases, thereby promoting the development of HCRs. Consequently, we propose that anthropomorphic attribution be the primary starting point for developing HCRs. Second, users tend to judge the utilitarian value of chatbots in the early stages of HCR development to determine whether their actual needs can be met. Therefore, whether or not chatbots can demonstrate their true effectiveness based on user expectations in terms of usability, ease of use, and expectation confirmation is likely to influence user acceptance and engagement with them. With the growth in users’ recognition, familiarity, and confidence in chatbots, their notion of anthropomorphism improves, indirectly enhancing user attitudes and further developing HCRs. Third, user participation in ISIs is influenced by anthropomorphic attribution and utilitarian value judgment in the short term. Given that emotional factors are becoming increasingly important in sustaining user engagement over time, users are likely to further anthropomorphize chatbots based on social motivation and establish an attachment relationship with them. The positive emotions experienced when interacting with chatbots deepen the HCRs, shifting relationships from “tools” to “partners.” When users’ attachment to chatbots is transferred to their attachment to ISI tasks, they are more likely to actively engage in the treatment, allowing for the effective use of chatbots in psychotherapy. Finally, to achieve better therapeutic goals of ISIs, HCRs should be further developed into DTA—a deliberate and purposeful HCR model. Additionally, the stage-wise development of HCRs has laid a good foundation for establishing DTA. As the development of DTA can enhance and stabilize user engagement, future research can make valuable contributions by evaluating key HCR theories and constructing chatbots based on these theories. Apart from the topics stated above, there is a need to examine additional variables that affect HCRs, standardize operational definitions of engagement, and develop appropriate methods for measuring engagement. Ultimately, by developing our theoretical model, we contribute to the improvement of chatbot effectiveness in the field of psychotherapy through the promotion of a deeper rational understanding of HCRs.

Key words: chatbot, engagement, human-chatbot relationships

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