Keywords
consciousness perception, human-AI interaction, perception of mind, anthropomorphism, theory of mind, computers are social actors
Abstract
This study investigates the cognitive factors influencing the perception of mind in generative artificial intelligence systems, focusing on the role of prior experiences with them, theory of mind (ToM), and the tendency to anthropomorphize. The research examined how these factors predict perceived consciousness in ChatGPT and impact users' trust in this system, specifically exploring: (1) how ToM and anthropomorphism contribute to AI consciousness perception, (2) how prior AI experiences influence consciousness attribution, (3) the relationship between consciousness attribution and trust in AI, and (4) how perceptions of AI consciousness relate to mind perception in other entities. Undergraduates (N= 220) completed a survey including measures of ToM, anthropomorphism tendencies, mind perception in other entities, and prior experiences with generative LLMs. Results revealed a strong positive relationship between anthropomorphic tendencies and perceived AI consciousness, while ToM showed no significant association. Surprisingly, frequency of AI use negatively correlated with consciousness attribution. Trust in AI demonstrated a weak but significant positive relationship with perceived consciousness. Additionally, perceived AI consciousness strongly correlated with attributed agency and experience in robots. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of human-AI interaction by analyzing user-specific factors in human-AI interaction, offering insights into the design of AI systems that align with user expectations while mitigating risks associated with trust and over-reliance on AI. The findings have important implications for improving transparency, fostering ethical AI usage, and addressing the potential consequences of AI's impactful role in society.
Thesis Completion Year
2025
Thesis Completion Semester
Spring
Thesis Chair
Davis, Shawn
College
College of Sciences
Department
Psychology
Thesis Discipline
Psychology
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus Access
None
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
Sakakibara Olgini Capello, Sophia Fernanda, "Factors Involved On The Attribution Of Consciousness To Generative Artificial Intelligence And Its Impact On Trust" (2025). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 317.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/317
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