Do you talk to your gadgets? Then you may be LONELY

November 3, 2016

Behaviour includes naming your smartphone or affection for a robotic pet
Psychologists say the behaviour is driven by a need to form connections
Thinking about aconnection with those they trust reduced the effect

Ryan O’Hare for MailOnline

Published:
07:49 EDT, 2 November 2016

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Updated:
07:53 EDT, 2 November 2016

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If you have ever found yourself talking to your gadgets, it may be time to pick up the phone and speak to friends or family.

A study has found that lonely people are more likely to give human-like attributes to inanimate objects, like naming their smartphone or affection for a robotic pet.

But breaking the spell could be as simple as thinking about close personal relationships with people in real life.

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According to the researchers, humanising objects ‘is a motivated process reflecting the active search for potential sources of connection’ (stock image)

With people spending a growing portion of their lives online, communicating through avatars and relaxing through video games or streaming video, the sense of real life connections may be diminishing.

In Japan, technology firms are looking to use technology to combat loneliness, as the number of people living alone increases, including the elderly and young singles.

Car manufacturer Toyota, which has a strong interest in robotics, is developing mini human-like robots for people to talk to in order to keep a social connection.

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In an effort to scratch below the surface, researchers at McGill University in Canada questioned 178 people on their habits and gadget use.

People were asked to think about someone important to them who they trusted, and asked to comment on their characters traits and write briefly about them.

Others were asked to think of an acquaintance, to act as a comparison group.

The team found that people who reported feeling lonely tended to give the objects more human-like characteristics (stock image). But thinking about someone important to them who they trusted, can reduce the tendency

Both groups were asked to read descriptions of four gadgets, including an alarm clock which rolls around when it goes off, and rate them on social and nonsocial characteristics.

The team found that people who reported feeling lonely tended to give the objects more human-like characteristics.

Thinking about someone close to them made a difference, with people less likely to anthropomorphise objects more, humanising the gadgets.

But one affect was found to be stronger than loneliness.

Analysis revealed that for people with attachment anxiety, with a strong fear of abandonment or preoccupied with closeness, were most likely to anthropomorphise objects.

According to the researchers, humanising objects ‘is a motivated process reflecting the active search for potential sources of connection’.

TOYOTA’S KIROBO MINI AIMED AT THOSE LIVING ALONE

Last month, Toyota revealed its Kirobo Mini robot, a pint-sized humanoid droid which its makers say has ’emotional value’, as well as a $400 (£300) price tag.

It comes equipped with a camera, microphone and Bluetooth, and connects to a smartphone, which needs to be installed with a special software application.

Kirobo turns its head toward a voice, although sometimes that function fails as its voice recognition is far from perfect.

At just 10-centimeters (4-inch) tall, doll-like Kirobo Mini supposedly has the smarts of a 5-year-old.

Its name comes from ‘kibo’, or ‘hope’, and ‘robot’ and preorders start later this year.

They found that just by reminding people of close personal relationships in real life they could reduce people’s tendency project such qualities onto things.

‘We think this work really highlights how important feeling socially connected is to people and the lengths people will go to ‘reconnect’ when they feel disconnected, and it reminds us of the value of our close relationships,’ explained Dr Jennifer Bartz, a researchers at McGill University, who led the study.

‘Most of us, at some point or another, will experience feelings of disconnection, loneliness, and isolation.

‘Whether these feelings are long-lasting or due to temporary circumstances like being relocated for a job or school, social disconnection is something we’re all vulnerable to experiencing.’

Dr Bartz added: ‘Although anthropomorphism is one of the more creative ways people try to meet belonging needs, it is nevertheless difficult to have a relationship with an inanimate object.’

The findings are published in the journal Psychological Science.