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arXiv · 2603.25646

A Mentalistic Interface for Probing Folk-Psychological Attribution to Non-Humanoid Robots

Giulio Pisaneschi·Pierpaolo Serio·Estelle Gerbier·Andrea Dan Ryals·Lorenzo Pollini·Mario G. C. A. Cimino
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Abstract

This paper presents an experimental platform for studying intentional-state attribution toward a non-humanoid robot. The system combines a simulated robot, realistic task environments, and large language model-based explanatory layers that can express the same behavior in mentalistic, teleological, or mechanistic terms. By holding behavior constant while varying the explanatory frame, the platform provides a controlled way to investigate how language and framing shape the adoption of the intentional stance in robotics.

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Giulio Pisaneschi, Pierpaolo Serio, Estelle Gerbier, Andrea Dan Ryals, Lorenzo Pollini, Mario G. C. A. Cimino. 2026-03-26. A Mentalistic Interface for Probing Folk-Psychological Attribution to Non-Humanoid Robots. https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.25646

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