PRESCHOOLERS LEARN FROM ROBOTS

Children learn a great deal from their parents and teachers. Children trust that 7 x 7 = 49, the Earth is round, and dinosaurs existed, not because they have uncovered these facts themselves, but because we have told them that they are true. Now, robots are entering classrooms to teach children foreign languages, math, science, and more. Will children trust robots in the same way that they trust other people? In a series of studies, I examined the circumstances under which 3-year-olds learn the names of novel toys from a robot. Ultimately, I found that 3-year-olds will trust a robot like they trust a person when that robot looks and acts like it has a mind of its own.

PUBLICATIONS

YOUNG CHILDREN TRUST ACCURATE ROBOT INFORMANTS THAT HAVE AGENCY

In preparation

Authors: Brink, K.A., Wellman, H.M.

TECHNOLOGY AS TEACHER: HOW CHILDREN LEARN FROM SOCIAL ROBOTS

Accepted

Book Chapter
Authors: Brink, K.A., Wellman, H.M.
To appear in S. Grimm (ed.) Varieties of Understanding: New Perspectives from Philosophy, Psychology, and Theology

YOUNG CHILDREN TRUST ACCURATE ROBOT INFORMANTS WITH AGENCY

October 2017

Conference Poster

Authors: Brink, K.A., Wellman, H.M.

Poster presented at the Biennial Meeting of the Cognitive Development Society, Portland, OR.