A1 Journal article (refereed)
Triggered by Socialbots : Communicative Anthropomorphization of Bots in Online Conversations (2023)

Laaksonen, S.-M., Laitinen, K., Koivula, M., & Sihvonen, T. (2023). Triggered by Socialbots : Communicative Anthropomorphization of Bots in Online Conversations. Human-Machine Communication Journal, 6, 135-153. https://doi.org/10.30658/hmc.6.8

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Laaksonen, Salla-Maaria; Laitinen, Kaisa; Koivula, Minna; Sihvonen, Tanja

Journal or series: Human-Machine Communication Journal

ISSN: 2638-602X

eISSN: 2638-6038

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 01/07/2023

Volume: 6

Pages range: 135-153

Publisher: West Michigan University Communication and Social Robotics Labs

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30658/hmc.6.8

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/92434

Abstract

This article examines communicative anthropomorphization, that is, assigning of humanlike features, of socialbots in communication between humans and bots. Situated in the field of human-machine communication, the article asks how socialbots are devised as anthropomorphized communication companions and explores the ways in which human users anthropomorphize bots through communication. Through an analysis of two datasets of bots interacting with humans on social media, we find that bots are communicatively anthropomorphized by directly addressing them, assigning agency to them, drawing parallels between humans and bots, and assigning emotions and opinions to bots. We suggest that socialbots inherently have anthropomorphized characteristics and affordances, but their anthropomorphization is completed and actualized by humans through communication. We conceptualize this process as communicative anthropomorphization.

Keywords: communication; social interaction; online discussion; social media; artificial intelligence; social robots; human-computer interaction

Free keywords: socialbots; communication; anthropomorphization; social interaction; social media

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 1