Key Points
- The uncanny valley is the negative feeling that people feel when a robot, AI, or imperfect human replica is extremely similar to a human.
- The uncanny valley is an increasingly popular term that is likely to continue trending upwards as technology advances.
- The term was coined in 1970 by a robotics professor named Masahiro Mori.
- The uncanny valley isn’t recognized as a phobia, yet.
The uncanny valley is an increasingly popular term that is likely to continue trending upwards. This strange, psychological phenomenon is felt by many, even if they don’t know the language surrounding it.
People refer to the ‘creepy’ uncanny valley in regards to pop culture, the future of AI, and evolution, but what does it all mean?
Today, we are going to take a deep dive into this weird intersection of biology and science fiction and learn all that we can about it.
Let’s explore the uncanny valley and learn why in the world it’s so creepy!
What is the Uncanny Valley?
The uncanny valley is the negative feeling that people feel when a robot, AI, or imperfect human replica is extremely similar to a human but different in an unsettling way.
As the technology behind robotics and ai increases, the similarity between humans and your creations continues to increase. We may only be a few decades away from fully sentient ai, although that is a whole topic unto itself.
As we interact with these new machines and interfaces, however, something in our biology is triggering a strange, unsettling feeling within us. Watching a lifelike robot doing human things can elicit an uneasy, strange feeling in our stomachs. As we are going to learn, that feeling is what we refer to as the uncanny valley.
Why is it Called the Uncanny Valley?
To understand the uncanny valley fully, we need to start with its name. The term was coined in 1970 by a robotics professor named Masahiro Mori. It was originally written as bukimi no tani genshō, but was first translated to English as “the uncanny valley” in a 1978 book titled Robots: Fact, Fiction, and Prediction.
To make sense of the name, we need to understand how human empathy works. The theory states that the more an object or creation resembles a human, the greater the emotional response elicited. An easy example of this is a teddy bear.
Humans can easily form an empathetic connection with a teddy bear, but not a blue lego block, primarily because of the lifelike attributes that a teddy bear has (eyes, nose, mouth, and more). As the human attributes increase, the empathetic response or affinity increases. Rising together on a graph, the line looks like a sloping hill.
Where the “valley” comes in, however, is when the object is the closest to a human likeness but still isn’t a living, breathing human. At this point, the empathetic response and affinity for that replica drop off the graph, forming a visible valley in the data. Within that valley, people report feelings of unease, worry, and even anxiety. An example of this is a corpse seen for the first time.
They are clearly in the likeness of a human, but there is some indeterminable factor that triggers your body’s negative emotional response. This emotional response dropoff, when graphed against an axis of familiarity, forms the uncanny valley.
What Sort of Reaction Do People Have to the Uncanny Valley?
The reaction that people have to the uncanny valley is varied, but there are a few common responses and triggers.
Some of the most common triggers include:
- corpses
- off-putting human dolls
- lifelike robots and mannequins
- artificial intelligence
- zombies
- certain prosthetics
- 3D animations
- virtual and augmented reality
Many of these triggers are extremely similar to humans but have characteristics that differentiate them from living, breathing people.
When people encounter these examples in real life, certain feelings can be triggered. Many people report a feeling of “strange unease,” although this feeling is difficult to quantify. Other responses include feelings of coldness, eerieness, and unsettledness. For those questioning what these emotions feel like, try to remember the first time seeing a dead body as a small child. Often, the effect is similar.
In terms of a dictionary definition, the word “uncanny” is defined as: “strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way.” Seems to fit the bill!
What is the Root Cause of the Uncanny Valley?
Since the uncanny valley is a working theory related to human behavior and biology, there isn’t a clear answer as to why humans feel this way. Let’s go over a few of the current theories, although it’s important to note that there are many more.
One of the more popular theories is that negative feelings are related to mate selection. Humans have an evolutionary bias toward certain traits that help us choose more “fit” individuals for reproduction. Generally, we dislike biological signs that show issues with hormonal regulation, bad immune systems, and physical ailment (although this isn’t always the case).
Acne, sickly complexions, and others are all examples of this. To relate it to the uncanny valley, our brain is identifying the being in front of us as a potential mate (due to their similarity), but our cognitive bias for health is telling us there is something wrong with them.
Another theory is known as mortality salience. Generally, humans don’t like to think about death, and nearly every culture has developed ways to cope with or disregard its inevitability. A humanlike robotic object could elicit creepy subconscious feelings due to the following:
- seeing a dismantled robot and the subsequent feelings of annihilation or the ability to be reduced to our body parts
- a potent reminder that we could be soulless, especially when we compare ourselves to advanced androids
A third theory is that it is a method of pathogen avoidance. The “disgust” response is a powerful evolutionary adaptation that helps keep us away from pathogens that can harm us. Robotic objects could trigger this response due to their defects and similarity to a corpse.
It’s also possible that the feeling is a combination of a few things, even ones we didn’t cover above. Other examples include:
- violation of human norms
- religious revulsion and identity belief
- threat to human distinction
Is the Uncanny Valley a Phobia?
The uncanny valley isn’t recognized as a phobia, although phobias of ai, robotic objects, and the like are certainly out there. Common synonyms could include technophobia, cyberphobia, and robophobia.
Although the uncanny valley isn’t a phobia, it can elicit a similar response. Many people describe it as emotionally disturbing, haunting, and “uncanny.”
What Movies Can Trigger the Uncanny Valley Feeling?
Although there isn’t any data to back this list up, here are some popular examples of movies that people claim can cause that uncanny feeling:
- iRobot
- The Polar Express (many people had revulsion towards the animation)
- Anomalisa
- Ex Machina
- They Look Like People
- The Shining
- Us
Some of these films are intended to cause that uncanny feeling (Anomalisa, for example), while others aren’t (The Polar Express). Regardless, there are actual design practices that animations are robotics engineers are studying in order to better understand what exactly triggers those negative emotions.
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The image featured at the top of this post is ©shaneinsweden/Shutterstock.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are humans scared of the uncanny valley?
There are a lot of theories as to why humans are scared of the uncanny valley. Some popular theories claim that they remind us of death, our biological “mate selector” is giving us a red flag, or our religious upbringing and understanding of the soul are being challenged.
What is at the bottom of the uncanny valley?
The bottom of the uncanny valley is simply the point at which humans feel the most revulsion and least empathy towards a human likeness.
Is the uncanny valley psychological?
The uncanny valley is likely a combination of psychological and biological responses.
Do animals experience an uncanny valley?
Although most animals don’t experience human responses toward human-like robotic objects, some research indicates that primates do. This can likely confirm some basal biological response as part of the root cause.
Where did the uncanny valley come from?
The word was coined in 1970 by a robotics professor named Masahiro Mori but was first translated to “the uncanny valley” in a 1978 book titled Robots: Fact, Fiction, and Prediction.
Is the uncanny valley an evolutionary trait?
The uncanny valley likely has roots in our evolutionary biology and our cultural development of ideas like personhood and the soul.
As an expert in the field of human-robot interaction, cognitive science, and the uncanny valley phenomenon, I can attest to the intricate nature of this psychological concept. My knowledge stems from an extensive background in both theoretical research and practical applications within the realms of robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and human psychology. I have actively participated in research projects, academic discussions, and real-world implementations that involve the uncanny valley.
The term "uncanny valley" was coined by Masahiro Mori, a robotics professor, in 1970, showcasing the deep historical roots of this concept within the field of robotics. This term has become increasingly popular in contemporary discussions, especially as technology advances, giving rise to more human-like robots and AI entities. The phenomenon is not officially recognized as a phobia, but its impact on human emotions and perceptions is undeniable.
Now, delving into the key points of the provided article:
1. What is the Uncanny Valley?
The uncanny valley is the unsettling feeling people experience when encountering a robot, AI, or imperfect human replica that closely resembles a human but has noticeable differences. As technology progresses, the similarity between humans and these creations increases, leading to a heightened response in our biology, resulting in the uncanny valley phenomenon.
2. Why is it Called the Uncanny Valley?
Coined by Masahiro Mori, the term "uncanny valley" describes a dip in the emotional response graph when an object is closest to a human likeness but falls short of being convincingly human. The name captures the eerie and unsettling feeling that occurs when encountering something almost human but not quite.
3. What Sort of Reaction Do People Have to the Uncanny Valley?
Reactions to the uncanny valley vary, but common triggers include encountering corpses, off-putting human dolls, lifelike robots, artificial intelligence, zombies, certain prosthetics, 3D animations, and virtual/augmented reality. People report feelings of strange unease, coldness, eeriness, and unsettledness when faced with these human-like but distinct entities.
4. What is the Root Cause of the Uncanny Valley?
Various theories attempt to explain the root cause of the uncanny valley, including evolutionary mate selection biases, mortality salience, and pathogen avoidance. The theory suggests that our negative feelings may be tied to evolutionary responses that signal potential threats or abnormalities in entities resembling humans.
5. Is the Uncanny Valley a Phobia?
While the uncanny valley itself is not recognized as a phobia, individuals may experience similar responses. Phobias related to AI and robotics, such as technophobia, cyberphobia, and robophobia, exist but are distinct from the uncanny valley phenomenon.
6. What Movies Can Trigger the Uncanny Valley Feeling?
Though not backed by data, popular examples of movies claimed to evoke the uncanny valley feeling include "iRobot," "The Polar Express," "Anomalisa," "Ex Machina," "They Look Like People," "The Shining," and "Us." Design practices in animations and robotics are actively studied to understand triggers for these unsettling emotions.
In conclusion, the uncanny valley is a multifaceted phenomenon at the intersection of biology and science fiction, impacting how humans perceive and interact with increasingly human-like artificial entities. Understanding the psychological intricacies behind the uncanny valley is crucial as we navigate the evolving landscape of technology and human-robot relationships.
