Effect of Virtual Agent's Contingent Responses and Icebreakers Designed based on Interaction Training Techniques on Inducing Intentional Stance

Abstract

The human mental stance towards a virtual agent has an influence on the social relationship that exists between them. In this study, we focus on contingency, which is the behavior that occurs synchronously with the human action, and the icebreaker, which is a facilitation exercise that helps start an interaction. The aim of this study is to investigate whether an agent's contingent responses and icebreakers with the contingent agent are capable of inducing and maintaining an intentional stance. We conducted an experiment using an agent which provided contingent responses. In the experiment, participants first interacted with the contingent agent through an icebreaker. Afterwards, all participants performed a collaborative task. As a result, we conclude that the contingent responses and the icebreaker are capable of inducing and partially maintaining the intentional stance. In particular, the icebreaker designed based on interaction training techniques was effective to induce the intentional stance.