Do voice agents affect people’s gender stereotypes? Quantitative investigation of stereotype spillover effects from interacting with gendered voice agents

IF 6 2区计算机科学 Q1 COMPUTER SCIENCE, CYBERNETICS

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-07 DOI:10.1016/j.ijhcs.2025.103683

Madeleine Steeds , Marius Claudy , Benjamin R. Cowan , Anshu Suri

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

A 2019 UNESCO report raised concerns that female gendered voice assistants (VAs) may be perpetuating gender stereotypical views. Subsequent research has investigated remedies for this harm, but there is little research into the potential spillover effect of using gendered VAs onto stereotypical views of gender. We take a quantitative approach to address this gap. Over two studies (n = 235, 351), we find little predictive or causational evidence of gendered VAs relating to gender stereotypical views, despite stereotypes being ascribed to VAs. This implies that, while we should continue to strive for equality and equity in technological design, everyday VA use may not be perpetuating gender stereotypes to the extent expected. We highlight the need for longitudinal research studying gendered technology use, and into problematic use cases such as technology use to simulate harassment. Further we suggest the need for work understanding common stereotypes held about diverse gender identities.

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语音代理会影响人们对性别的刻板印象吗？与性别语音代理互动的刻板印象溢出效应的定量研究

2019年联合国教科文组织的一份报告对女性性别语音助手可能会延续性别陈规定型观念表示担忧。随后的研究对这种伤害的补救措施进行了调查，但很少有研究表明使用性别VAs对性别刻板印象的潜在溢出效应。我们采取定量方法来解决这一差距。在两项研究中（n = 235, 351），我们发现性别VAs与性别刻板印象有关的预测性或因果性证据很少，尽管刻板印象归因于VAs。这意味着，虽然我们应该继续为技术设计的平等和公平而努力，但日常的VA使用可能不会像预期的那样延续性别刻板印象。我们强调需要对性别技术使用进行纵向研究，并研究有问题的用例，如技术用于模拟骚扰。此外，我们建议需要努力了解人们对不同性别认同的普遍刻板印象。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies 工程技术-计算机：控制论

CiteScore

11.50

自引率

5.60%

发文量

108

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Human-Computer Studies publishes original research over the whole spectrum of work relevant to the theory and practice of innovative interactive systems. The journal is inherently interdisciplinary, covering research in computing, artificial intelligence, psychology, linguistics, communication, design, engineering, and social organization, which is relevant to the design, analysis, evaluation and application of innovative interactive systems. Papers at the boundaries of these disciplines are especially welcome, as it is our view that interdisciplinary approaches are needed for producing theoretical insights in this complex area and for effective deployment of innovative technologies in concrete user communities. Research areas relevant to the journal include, but are not limited to: • Innovative interaction techniques • Multimodal interaction • Speech interaction • Graphic interaction • Natural language interaction • Interaction in mobile and embedded systems • Interface design and evaluation methodologies • Design and evaluation of innovative interactive systems • User interface prototyping and management systems • Ubiquitous computing • Wearable computers • Pervasive computing • Affective computing • Empirical studies of user behaviour • Empirical studies of programming and software engineering • Computer supported cooperative work • Computer mediated communication • Virtual reality • Mixed and augmented Reality • Intelligent user interfaces • Presence ...