Course Description

Robots are becoming part of daily life, from assistive robots in healthcare and education to social robots at home and work. How do humans perceive and interact with them? What makes a robot seem intelligent, trustworthy, or lifelike? How do people attribute emotions, intentions, or moral responsibility to robots? Can robots influence human behavior and decision-making? How do cultural backgrounds shape these interactions? Understanding these questions is crucial for designing robots that meet human needs while considering their broader impact on individuals and society. 

This course explores human-robot interaction through the lenses of psychology and cognitive science, covering research on perception, social cognition, and the psychological effects of social robots, as well as the ethical considerations of robot design. Students will also develop the skills to write a research paper integrating course discussions and psychological research methods that match the guidelines offered on the B.S. Research Paper site.