Graduation Term
Spring 2025
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
School of Communication
Committee Chair
Lindsey Thomas
Committee Member
Andrew Ventimiglia
Committee Member
Lauren Bratslavsky
Abstract
The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) companions fundamentally shifts the landscape of interpersonal communication, introducing artificial entities as relational partners rather than mere facilitators of human-to-human interaction. This exploratory study examines the interplay of machine gendering, self-disclosure, perceived partner responsiveness (PPR), and interpersonal satisfaction within human-AI interactions. Participants engaged in conversations with gendered AI companions through the program Replika, completed structured surveys, and participated in qualitative interviews. Findings indicate that users' willingness to self-disclose was influenced by their perceptions of AI responsiveness, while gendered characteristics of AI significantly shaped user expectations and communication patterns. Specifically, users often attributed distinct personality traits based on the gender presentation of the AI, reflecting broader societal stereotypes. Although some users experienced genuine emotional engagement with their AI companions, others found these interactions limited or unsatisfying. By highlighting how gender, self-disclosure, and perceived responsiveness collectively influence user experiences, this study advances theoretical understandings of human-machine communication and informs practical considerations in AI companion design. The findings underscore critical implications for the development of emotionally intelligent, gender-sensitive AI technologies, contributing meaningfully to the broader dialogue surrounding the integration of AI into everyday interpersonal life.
Access Type
Thesis-Open Access
Recommended Citation
Wolff, Miriam, "A New Theater for Age-Old Social Patterns: An Exploratory Study of Interpersonal Dynamics and the Overlay of Gender within AI Companionship" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 2125.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/2125
Included in
Communication Technology and New Media Commons, Critical and Cultural Studies Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, International and Intercultural Communication Commons, Other Communication Commons, Other Psychology Commons, Other Sociology Commons, Social Psychology and Interaction Commons, Theory and Philosophy Commons, Theory, Knowledge and Science Commons
