When Robots Brainstorm With Us
Robot Facilitation and Social Comparison in Creative Group Ideation
M.E. Ayoub (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)
C.R.M.M. Oertel Genannt Bierbach – Mentor (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)
R. Weijers – Mentor (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)
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Abstract
Social robots are increasingly designed to contribute to human tasks, but their competence may also affect how users evaluate their own abilities. This study investigated how different Pepper facilitation configurations shape social comparison, self-efficacy, perceived competence, and perceived contribution during creative group ideation. A between-subjects study was conducted with 20 participants in 10 dyads. Participants brainstormed ideas for improving campus wellbeing and academic engagement with Pepper in one of two conditions: a Dynamic Collaborative Pepper condition, in which Pepper responded to the discussion in real time, or a Pre-Generated Intervention Pepper condition, in which Pepper contributed prepared ideas and visual material at planned moments. Descriptive results suggest that the dynamic collaborative condition was experienced as more collaborative and was associated with higher self-efficacy and perceived competence. The pre-generated intervention condition was perceived as slightly more useful and engaging, but produced stronger social comparison and made Pepper appear more influential in the final solution. These findings suggest a design trade-off: polished robot contributions may support the task while increasing upward comparison, whereas adaptive responses generated during the discussion may better preserve participants' sense of agency and competence.