Haunting Valley Theory: Fear of What Seems Human

If when observing a robot with an almost human appearance you experience a series of unpleasant sensations, it is possible that you are under a phenomenon explained by The Haunting Valley Theory.

This theory tries to give an explanation to the reactions that a person experiences in the presence of an excessively human figure or image, but which is otherwise not enough.

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What is the Haunting Valley Theory?

The Haunting Valley Theory, as well as the term Haunting Valley itself, are concepts related to the world of robotics and 3D animation that refer to a curve of people's reaction to the presence of an anthropomorphic figure. That is, in the presence of a non-living figure or object, but with a great appearance of a person. These anthropomorphic figures can refer to android robots or highly realistic 3D animations.

The term "Haunting Valley" was created by professor and robotics specialist Masahiro Mori in the year 1970, and her name in Japanese was Bukimi no Tani Gensho. Under the translation known as Valle Inquietante, there is a metaphor that tries to clarify the reactions that people experience in the presence of a robot in human form.

According to this theory, a person's reaction to an anthropomorphic robot is increasingly positive and empathetic as the appearance of the figure becomes increasingly human. However, there is a tipping point where this reaction changes completely; becoming a dislike response due to excess similarity.

The name "valley" refers to the inclination of the curve present in the graph prepared by Mori, which calculates how favorable the human response is to the presence of an anthropomorphic figure: it rises as its human appearance also grows, until it reaches a point where the first plummets when the second is very high.

On the other hand, the term "disturbing" refers to the feeling of strangeness or aversion caused by the perception of something that seems human but is not really.

What causes this aversion?

Although it has not yet been possible to reach a completely valid conclusion about the causes of this sensation, there are various theories that try to explain the reason for this phenomenon.

1. Disease rejection hypothesis

A hypothesis developed by the psychologist Thalia Wheatley indicates that, after centuries of evolution, Humans have developed the ability to detect any kind of distortion in other humans and identify or associate it with any type of physical or mental illness.

Therefore, the feeling of aversion to something that seems human, but shows clear signs that it is not It is, it would be nothing more than a natural defense of our brain against the idea of ​​disease and even death.

This means that all those distortions or oddities that we perceive when faced with an anthropomorphic figure are directly associated, for our brain, to the idea or image of people considerably ill or even dead, thus originating a response of aversion or disgust.

2. The sorites paradox

Also known as the heap paradox. Although this explanation is not directly related to the Haunting Valley Theory, many experts and theorists have used it to try to find the cause of it.

This paradox manifests itself when a person tries to use common sense about a vague, imprecise or unclear concept. In the case of the Haunting Valley, the human-like figures they end up undermining our sense of identity when trying to find a logical explanation to what it is that we are observing. This generates a negative feeling and rejection of what we do not understand.

3. Hypothesis of violation of human norms

According to this hypothesis, if a figure or robot has an appearance that could be identified with the human, it generates a certain degree of empathy. However, when this figure only partially resembles a human, possessing no characteristics noticeable human (such as a lack of clear expression of feelings or poor body movements) natural) generating a feeling of uncertainty and a reaction of revulsion.

4. Hypothesis of the religious definition of person

In societies strongly influenced by religious standards and concepts about the human being, the existence of artificial and anthropomorphic objects or figures poses a threat to the idea of ​​being human as it was conceived by the different religions.

5. Hypothesis of "specialism"

The American psychiatrist Irvin Yalom explains that human beings, in fear of death, create a series of psychological defenses that curb the anxiety caused by the certainty that one day we will die. One of these defenses is "specialism." This is an irrational and unconscious belief by which we assume that death is something inherent in life but that it is something that only applies to others, not to ourselves.

Therefore, the confrontation with an object or robot with a tall human countenance can become so intense that causes a discrepancy between "specialism" and existential defenses, generating a sense of anguish vital.

Criticisms of Mori's model

As in most scientifically unproven theories, the Haunting Valley Theory has not been spared criticism. Some of the experts from the world of robotics reject Mori's idea on the grounds that there is no basis to justify the reaction curve created by him.

Furthermore, they rely on the fact that at the moment it is only possible to create partially human-like robots, so the theory would not have sufficient foundations. Instead, they claim that in any case a kind of cognitive dissonance by which our brain generates expectations about how a human should be, expectations that with this type of humanoid figures would not be covered.