Theory of Mind and Self-Disclosure to CUIs

TL;DR

This paper explores how making a CUI's 'theory of mind' transparent through expressions of uncertainty and reasoning can encourage user self-disclosure, enhancing human-computer interaction.

Contribution

It introduces the idea that transparency of a CUI's reasoning and uncertainty can promote user self-disclosure, linking social cues to improved interaction.

Findings

Expressions of uncertainty can increase user trust.

Transparency of reasoning encourages self-disclosure.

Enhanced social cues improve CUI-user rapport.

Abstract

Self-disclosure is important to help us feel better, yet is often difficult. This difficulty can arise from how we think people are going to react to our self-disclosure. In this workshop paper, we briefly discuss self-disclosure to conversational user interfaces (CUIs) in relation to various social cues. We then, discuss how expressions of uncertainty or representation of a CUI's reasoning could help encourage self-disclosure, by making a CUI's intended "theory of mind" more transparent to users.