A persuasive robotic agent to save energy: the influence of social feedback, feedback valence and task similarity on energy conservation behavior

In this paper we explore the persuasive effects of social feedback provided by a robotic agent, on behavioral change. In lab experiments, participants had the opportunity to conserve energy while carrying out washing tasks with a simulated washing machine. Three experiments tested the effect of positive and negative social feedback and compared these effects to more widely used factual feedback. Results of these studies indicate that social feedback has stronger persuasive effects than factual feedback (Experiment 1) and factual-evaluative feedback (Experiment 2). In addition, an effect of feedback valence was found, demonstrating more conservation actions following negative feedback (social or factual) as compared to positive feedback. Interestingly, especially negative social feedback had the strongest persuasive effects (Experiment 1, 2, & 3), and task similarity enhanced the effects of negative feedback (Experiment 3). These findings have several implications for theory and design of persuasive robotic agents.