Social perception of embodied digital technologies—a closer look at bionics and social robotics

The impact of bionic prostheses on users' self-perceptions: A qualitative study

Bionic devices for reestablishing or augmenting users' capabilities (e.g., bionic prostheses or exoskeletons) are becoming increasingly common. While prior research examined how such devices affect others' perceptions of their users, little is known about how these devices affect users' self-image and -perception, and the corresponding theory is scarce. To account for this gap, we conducted semi-structured interviews with users of bionic upper limb prostheses to obtain insights into their self- and meta-perceptions. Results of our qualitative analysis indicate that using bionic prostheses influences the social (self-) perception of bionics users in multiple ways, such that users describe themselves as being seen as more competent by others and treated differently after receiving the bionic prosthesis in comparison to simpler models. Results imply a somewhat complex dual identity among users in the sense that the bionic device instills competence, but disability-related feelings of stigma are present simultaneously. Despite being exploratory, our findings thus indicate that using bionic devices affects users' self-perception, stereotypes, and interpersonal perceptions. The ongoing proliferation of restoring devices and the introduction of augmenting technologies in future work contexts, for example, might thus have unintended social consequences that need to be accounted for.

Do we react differently toward bionic devices vs. cochlear implants and wheelchairs? Possible links with personality traits

The present study explored the attitudes toward individuals with bionic eyes and limbs, cochlear implants, and people with disabilities that imply using a wheelchair. Our sample consisted of 474 Romanian adults aged 18-61 (M = 27.56, SD = 11.80). Participants were randomly divided into five groups. They all filled scales related to personality characteristics, i.e., agreeableness, neuroticism, openness to experience, comprehension/intellectual efficiency, and previous contact with disability. Then, each group was presented with a vignette describing a character (wheelchair/bionic eye/bionic leg/cochlear implant/control group). Finally, they answered questions about their emotions, cognitions, and behaviors related to that context. Overall, our results suggested that higher agreeability, extraversion, openness to experience, intellectual complexity, and lower neuroticism were generally associated with more positive attitudes toward disability. When examining the differences in participants' emotions, cognitions, and behaviors depending on the target's characteristics, our results generally suggested that the most negative reactions were toward the character with a bionic eye. We discuss these findings considering their importance for shaping positive attitudes related to disability, especially related to the future technological advances in bionic devices.