Impact of Affirmative and Negating Robot Gestures on Perceived Personality, Role, and Contribution of a Human Group Member

Robots can play a role in mediating human group interactions. This study examines how robot gestures affect the perception of a human group member’s personality, role in the group, and contribution. In a vignette study (n=96), participants imagined being in a group discussion and watched a short video of another group member presenting an argument. In one condition (affirmative gesture), a robot nodded while the member spoke; in the other, it shook its head (negating gesture). A control condition featured no robot. The affirmative gesture enhanced perceptions of the speaker’s personality and role in the group, though their contribution was not affected. The negating gesture showed no adverse effects. Additionally, participants perceived the robot as a group member when it nodded but as an onlooker when it shook its head. This suggests that positive robot gestures can improve group dynamics by fostering favorable interpersonal perceptions.