The impact of bionic prostheses on users' self-perceptions: A qualitative study.

Bionic devices for reestablishing or augmenting users' capabilities (e.g., bionic prostheses or exoskeletons) are becoming increasingly common. While prior research examined how such devices affect others' perceptions of their users, little is known about how these devices affect users' self-image and -perception, and the corresponding theory is scarce. To account for this gap, we conducted semi-structured interviews with users of bionic upper limb prostheses to obtain insights into their self- and meta-perceptions. Results of our qualitative analysis indicate that using bionic prostheses influences the social (self-) perception of bionics users in multiple ways, such that users describe themselves as being seen as more competent by others and treated differently after receiving the bionic prosthesis in comparison to simpler models. Results imply a somewhat complex dual identity among users in the sense that the bionic device instills competence, but disability-related feelings of stigma are present simultaneously. Despite being exploratory, our findings thus indicate that using bionic devices affects users' self-perception, stereotypes, and interpersonal perceptions. The ongoing proliferation of restoring devices and the introduction of augmenting technologies in future work contexts, for example, might thus have unintended social consequences that need to be accounted for.

Embodied Digital Technologies: First Insights in the Social and Legal Perception of Robots and Users of Prostheses.

New bionic technologies and robots are becoming increasingly common in workspaces and private spheres. It is thus crucial to understand concerns regarding their use in social and legal terms and the qualities they should possess to be accepted as 'co-workers'. Previous research in these areas used the Stereotype Content Model to investigate, for example, attributions of Warmth and Competence towards people who use bionic prostheses, cyborgs, and robots. In the present study, we propose to differentiate the Warmth dimension into the dimensions of Sociability and Morality to gain deeper insight into how people with or without bionic prostheses are perceived. In addition, we extend our research to the perception of robots. Since legal aspects need to be considered if robots are expected to be 'co-workers', for the first time, we also evaluated current perceptions of robots in terms of legal aspects. We conducted two studies: In Study 1, participants rated visual stimuli of individuals with or without disabilities and low- or high-tech prostheses, and robots of different levels of Anthropomorphism in terms of perceived Competence, Sociability, and Morality. In Study 2, participants rated robots of different levels of Anthropomorphism in terms of perceived Competence, Sociability, and Morality, and additionally, Legal Personality, and Decision-Making Authority. We also controlled for participants' personality. Results showed that attributions of Competence and Morality varied as a function of the technical sophistication of the prostheses. For robots, Competence attributions were negatively related to Anthropomorphism. Perception of Sociability, Morality, Legal Personality, and Decision-Making Authority varied as functions of Anthropomorphism. Overall, this study contributes to technological design, which aims to ensure high acceptance and minimal undesirable side effects, both with regard to the application of bionic instruments and robotics. Additionally, first insights into whether more anthropomorphized robots will need to be considered differently in terms of legal practice are given.