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Cited by 105Social Robot Interaction and HRIAttachment and Relationship DynamicsAI in Service Interactions

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 107 of the 107 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Can Generative AI Chatbots Emulate Human Connection? A Relationship Science Perspective

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Smith, Molly G., Bradbury, Thomas N., Karney, Benjamin R.·2025·Perspectives on Psychological Science
DOI 10.1177/17456916251351306PMC PMC12575814

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Abstract

The development of generative artificial intelligence capable of sustaining complex conversations has created a burgeoning market for companion chatbots promising social and emotional connection. The appeal of these products raises questions about whether chatbots can fulfill the functions of close relationships. Proponents argue that relationships with chatbots can be as meaningful as relationships between humans, whereas critics argue they are a dangerous distraction from genuine connections. This analysis applies theoretical tools from more than 50 years of research on close relationships to evaluate the extent to which human–chatbot interactions meet the definition of and fulfill the functions of close relationships. Interactions between humans and chatbots do possess some characteristic features of close relationships: Humans and chatbots can influence each other and engage in frequent and diverse conversations over time. Chatbots can be responsive in ways humans perceive as supportive, generating feelings of connection and opportunities for growth. Yet because chatbots make only superficial requests of their users, relationships with them cannot provide the benefits of negotiating with and sacrificing for a partner and may reinforce undesirable behaviors. Research that attends to the characteristics of users, chatbots, and their interactions will be crucial for identifying for whom these relationships will be beneficial or harmful.

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Gable S. L., Bromberg C. (2018). Healthy social bonds: A necessary condition for well-being. In Diener E., Oishi S., Tay L. (Eds.), Handbook of well-being (pp. 553–566). DEF Publishers.
  2. Kelley H. H., Berscheid E., Christensen A., Harvey J. H., Huston T. L., Levinger G., McClintock E., Peplau L. A., Peterson D. R. (1983). Close relationships. W. H. Freeman & Company.
  3. Office of the Surgeon General. (2023). Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation: The U.S. surgeon general’s advisory on the healing effects of social connection and community. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37792968
  4. Siemon D., Strohmann T., Khosrawi-Rad B., de Vreede T., Elshan E., Meyer M. (2022). Why do we turn to virtual companions? A text mining analysis of Replika reviews [Conference session]. Americas Conference on Information Systems, Minneapolis, MN, United States.

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Metadata

Authors
Smith, M. G., Bradbury, T. N., & Karney, B. R.
Affiliations
University of California, Los Angeles (US)
Corresponding author
Smith, Molly G.
ORCID
Venue
Perspectives on Psychological Science
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2025-07-31
Volume
20
Issue
6
Pages
1081-1099
ISSN
  • 1745-6916 (ISSN-L)
  • 1745-6924
DOI
10.1177/17456916251351306
PMC
PMC12575814
OpenAlex
W4412796538
Cited by
88
References
104
Citations by year
2026: 83 · 2025: 5
FWCI
96.77
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Perspectives on Psychological Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Social Robot Interaction and HRI
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Marketing › AI in Service Interactions
Keywords
generative AI chatbots, close relationships, social connectedness, emotional connection, behavioral reinforcement, human-AI interaction
MeSH terms
Social Interaction, Generative Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, Communication, Humans, Interpersonal Relations

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