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About

Andrew Vonasch investigates the psychological mechanisms underlying human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on how our core beliefs about intelligence shape our responses to social robots. His research demonstrates that implicit self-theories—whether people view intelligence as fixed or malleable—profoundly influence perceptions of robotic agents. In his most cited work, "The Doors of Social Robot Perception" (2021, 23 citations), Vonasch established how these fundamental beliefs determine whether we welcome or resist robotic counterparts. His subsequent studies reveal that individuals with fixed mindsets perceive high-performing robots as more threatening, while also being more skeptical of robot-delivered praise. Vonasch's recent work on "phantom costs" (2025, 3 citations; 2026, 3 citations) uncovers a fascinating paradox: people often reject generous offers from robots, inferring hidden bad intentions behind seemingly altruistic machine behavior. This line of inquiry bridges social cognition and human-robot interaction, offering critical insights for designing robots that people will actually trust and accept. His findings have direct implications for robotics design, artificial intelligence ethics, and our understanding of how human psychology adapts to increasingly capable machines.