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Feeling connected to smart objects? A moderated mediation model of locus of agency, anthropomorphism, and sense of connectedness

Published: 01 January 2020 Publication History

Highlights

User-agency elicits more positive responses from IoT users than object-agency.
Perceived connectedness with IoT mediates the effect of locus of agency.
IoT with human-like features provides users with greater perceived connectedness.
Anthropomorphism of IoT moderates the mediating effect of perceived connectedness.

Abstract

In human-IoT interaction, both users and smart objects can exercise agency. This study examines how the relationship between the locus of agency (user vs. object) and interaction outcomes is mediated through sense of connectedness and how this mediated relationship is moderated by anthropomorphic cues. Results from a lab experiment (N = 94) indicate that users perceive their interactions more positively when they exercise their own agency than when the objects have agency. In addition, when the objects exert own agency, anthropomorphism elicits more positive user responses by increasing sense of connectedness.

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    Information & Contributors

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    Published In

    cover image International Journal of Human-Computer Studies
    International Journal of Human-Computer Studies  Volume 133, Issue C
    Jan 2020
    72 pages

    Publisher

    Academic Press, Inc.

    United States

    Publication History

    Published: 01 January 2020

    Author Tags

    1. Internet of things
    2. Smart object
    3. User agency
    4. Machine agency
    5. Anthropomorphism
    6. Sense of connectedness

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    Cited By

    View all
    • (2023)Technology as a Social Companion? An Exploration of Individual and Product-Related Factors of AnthropomorphismSocial Science Computer Review10.1177/0894439321106586741:3(1039-1062)Online publication date: 1-Jun-2023
    • (2023)Tools or peers? Impacts of anthropomorphism level and social role on emotional attachment and disclosure tendency towards intelligent agentsComputers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2022.107415138:COnline publication date: 1-Jan-2023
    • (2022)Are smartphones addictive? Examining the cognitive-behavior model of motivation, leisure boredom, extended self, and fear of missing out on possible smartphone addictionTelematics and Informatics10.1016/j.tele.2022.10183471:COnline publication date: 1-Jul-2022
    • (2021)Almost human? A comparative case study on the social media presence of virtual influencersInternational Journal of Human-Computer Studies10.1016/j.ijhcs.2021.102694155:COnline publication date: 1-Nov-2021
    • (2021)Towards a Semantic Classification of Possible Human-to-Environment Interactions in IoTDistributed, Ambient and Pervasive Interactions10.1007/978-3-030-77015-0_10(135-152)Online publication date: 24-Jul-2021

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