Uncanny Valley Theory: aversion to what looks like a human being

When a 3D animation or robot looks very human, it causes us to dislike it. Why does this happen?

If you experience a series of unpleasant sensations when observing a robot that looks almost human, it is possible that you are under a phenomenon explained by the Uncanny Valley Theory.

This theory tries to give an explanation to the reactions that a person experiences in the presence of an excessively human figure or image. an excessively human figure or image, but which on the other hand is not human enough..

What is the Uncanny Valley Theory?

The Uncanny Valley Theory, as well as the term Uncanny Valley itself, are concepts related to the world of robotics. concepts related to the world of robotics and 3D animation that refer to a curve of the that refer to a curve of people's reaction to the presence of an anthropomorphic figure. That is, in the presence of a non-living figure or object, but with a great appearance of a person. These anthropomorphic figures may refer to android robots or highly realistic 3D animations.

The term "Uncanny Valley was created by professor and robotics specialist Masahiro Mori in 1970, and its Japanese name was Bukimi no Tani Gensho. Under the translation known as Uncanny Valley, there is a metaphor that tries to clarify the reactions that people experience in the presence of a robot in human form.

According to this theory, a person's reaction to an anthropomorphic robot is increasingly positive and empathetic as the figure's appearance becomes more and more human. However, there is a tipping point at which this reaction changes completely; it becomes a response of aversion due to the excess of resemblance..

The name "valley" refers to the slope of the curve in Mori's graph, which calculates how favorable the human response to the presence of an anthropomorphic figure is: it rises as its human appearance also rises, until it reaches a point where the former plummets when the latter is very high.

On the other hand, the term "disturbing" refers to the feeling of strangeness or aversion caused by the perception of something that looks human but in reality is not.

What causes this aversion?

Although it has not yet been possible to reach a completely valid conclusion about the causes of this sensation, there are several theories that attempt to explain the reason for this phenomenon.

1. Disease rejection hypothesis

A hypothesis developed by psychologist Thalia Wheatley indicates that, after centuries of evolution, humans have developed the ability to detect any type of distortion in other humans and to identify or associate it with any type of physical or mental illness. identify it or associate it with any type of physical or mental illness..

Therefore, the feeling of aversion to something that seems human, but shows clear signs that it is not, would be nothing more than a natural defense of our brain against the idea of disease and even death.

This means that all those distortions or oddities that we perceive before an anthropomorphic figure are directly associated, by our brain, to the idea or image of considerably sick or even dead people, thus originating a response of aversion or disgust.

2. The sorites paradox

Also known as the paradox of the heap. Although this explanation is not directly related to the Uncanny Valley Theory, many experts and theorists have used it to try to find the cause of this.

This paradox manifests itself when a person tries to use common sense over a vague, imprecise or unclear concept. In the case of the Uncanny Valley, the human-looking figures end up undermining our sense of identity as we try to find a logical explanation for what by trying to find a logical explanation for what it is we are observing. This generates a negative feeling of rejection of what we do not understand.

3. Hypothesis of the violation of human norms

According to this hypothesis, if a figure or robot has an appearance that could be identified as human, it generates a certain degree of empathy. However, when this figure only partly resembles a human, possessing noticeable non-human characteristics (such as a lack of clear expression of feelings or unnatural body movements) generating a feeling of uncertainty and a reaction of repulsion..

4. Hypothesis of the religious definition of personhood

In societies strongly influenced by religious influenced by religious standards and concepts about the human beingThe existence of artificial and anthropomorphic objects or figures is a threat to the idea of the human being as conceived by the different religions.

5. Hypothesis of "specialism

The American psychiatrist Irvin Yalom explains that human beings, in the face of the fear of death, create a series of psychological defenses that curb the anxiety caused by the certainty that one day we are going to die. One of these defenses is "specialism". This is an irrational and unconscious belief whereby we assume that death is something inherent to life but that it is something that only applies to others, not to ourselves.

Therefore, confrontation with an object or robot with a high human semblance can become so intense that it causes a discrepancy between "specialness" and existential defenses, generating a sense of vital anguish.

Criticisms of Mori's model

As with most scientifically unproven theories, the Uncanny Valley Theory has not been free from criticism. Some experts in the world of robotics reject Mori's idea on the grounds that there is no basis to justify the reaction curve created by Mori.

In addition, they rely on the fact that for the moment it is only possible to create robots that are partially similar to humans.The theory would not be sufficiently grounded. Instead, they claim that in any case a kind of cognitive dissonance could be generated by which our brain generates expectations about how a human should be, expectations that would not be met with this type of humanoid figures.