My Chatbot Companion - a Study of Human-Chatbot Relationships
A foundational qualitative study of relationship formation between users and the companion chatbot Replika, based on 18 in-depth interviews analyzed through the lens of Social Penetration Theory. Traces how relationships develop across stages from orientation to more stable, exploratory exchange.
Publisher
International Journal of Human-Computer Studies (Elsevier)
Published
23 Jan 2021
Added
2 weeks ago
Key Findings
- Applies Social Penetration Theory to chart how Replika users' relationships with the chatbot develop through progressive stages of self-disclosure
- Documents users describing genuine emotional attachment and relationship-like dynamics with a chatbot, predating the post-ChatGPT companion-AI research wave
- One of the most-cited early academic studies establishing 'human-chatbot relationship' as a distinct research category
Methodology Notes
Qualitative study of 18 Replika users via semi-structured interviews, analyzed using Social Penetration Theory as the interpretive framework. Conducted by a Norwegian HCI research group (SINTEF/University of Oslo).
Sources
ScienceDirect (primary)
Archived snapshot (Wayback Machine) — preserved against link rot
Authors
Marita Skjuve, Asbjørn Følstad, Knut Inge Fostervold, Petter Bae Brandtzaeg
Tags
Cite This
APA
Marita Skjuve et al. (2021). My Chatbot Companion - a Study of Human-Chatbot Relationships. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies (Elsevier). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1071581921000197
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