Opinion: Why having robot co-workers might make you less prejudiced (via latimesopinion)
even in cases where automation led to job loss. This raises an intriguing question: If people were more aware of a rising robot workforce, would they still react with distrust and prejudice toward immigrants and minorities?took on this question and found that people’s awareness of a growing robot workforce may actually improve social relations.
We found this positive effect in several different contexts. In one study, for example, we showed that reading a newspaper article warning about the dangers of automation led people to report less distrust of foreigners and a greater willingness to live next to immigrants and people of a different race, religion and sexual orientation.
In another study, we asked people to imagine that they were the treasurer responsible for assigning salaries in a hypothetical commune. When the commune included only humans, white research participants showed racial bias in assigning more money to white workers than to black and Latino workers. However, they were significantly less biased when the commune also included robot workers.Our other studies showed the same pattern.
These findings also reflect important truths about the psychology of prejudice. Humans will always separate “us” from “them.” This may be a universal instinct. But whom we choose to classify as “us” or “them” appears to be much more flexible.people of Earth were able to put aside their differences and band together in the face of an alien attack. Robot workers might have a similar effect, leading people to find common ground with others whom they typically see as different.
Joshua Conrad Jackson is a PhD student in the department of psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Kurt Gray is an associate professor in the department of psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Noah Castelo is an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Alberta School of Business.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why Do Women in TV Flashbacks Always Have Bangs?Hollywood is obsessed with Flashback Bangs.
Read more »
ANALYSIS: Why the US embassy in Baghdad was assaulted on New Year's EveOrchestrated by pro-Iranian militias, these protests are about domestic politics in Iraq and a country torn between two allies competing for influence.
Read more »
Why Pete Buttigieg Enrages the Young LeftIt’s deeply personal—and not just because he’s challenging Bernie.
Read more »
Why the common cold can sometimes be deadlyThe condition is usually mild, but can be serious for some people.
Read more »
Why Country Music Wanted Everyone to Get Along in the 2010sFrom Carrie Underwood’s “Love Wins” to Kenny Chesney’s “Get Along,” country songs preached unity and acceptance in the Trump Era
Read more »