@article{ART003367466},
author={Choi Woong and Kim Seung In},
title={The Effect of Restrictive vs. Unrestricted Acceptance in Conversational AI on User Psychology and Behavioral Intention},
journal={Industry Promotion Research},
issn={2466-1139},
year={2026},
volume={11},
number={3},
pages={165-178},
doi={10.21186/IPR.2026.11.3.165}
TY - JOUR
AU - Choi Woong
AU - Kim Seung In
TI - The Effect of Restrictive vs. Unrestricted Acceptance in Conversational AI on User Psychology and Behavioral Intention
JO - Industry Promotion Research
PY - 2026
VL - 11
IS - 3
PB - Industrial Promotion Institute
SP - 165
EP - 178
SN - 2466-1139
AB - This study experimentally investigates how the acceptance style of conversational AI (restrictive vs. unrestricted) affects users' psychological responses and behavioral intentions. A between-subjects A/B experiment was conducted in April 2026 with 200 Korean adults (Group A: restrictive AI n=100; Group B: unrestricted AI n=100). Group B reported significantly higher post-interaction negative emotions (t=-3.478, p=.001, Cohen's d≈0.49), consistent after covariate control (β=0.499, p=.004). Bootstrap mediation analysis (5,000 resamples) confirmed partial mediation by perceived empathy (indirect effect=0.134, 95% CI [0.020, 0.268], BCa [0.033, 0.289]). No significant differences in relationship substitution or continued use intention were found. These findings support the relational uncanny valley concept and offer implications for adaptive friction and transparency-based AI service design.
KW - Conversational AI;Acceptance Style;Emptiness;Parasocial Relationship;Relational Uncanny Valley;Relationship Substitution Intention;User Psychology
DO - 10.21186/IPR.2026.11.3.165
ER -
Choi Woong and Kim Seung In. (2026). The Effect of Restrictive vs. Unrestricted Acceptance in Conversational AI on User Psychology and Behavioral Intention. Industry Promotion Research, 11(3), 165-178.
Choi Woong and Kim Seung In. 2026, "The Effect of Restrictive vs. Unrestricted Acceptance in Conversational AI on User Psychology and Behavioral Intention", Industry Promotion Research, vol.11, no.3 pp.165-178. Available from: doi:10.21186/IPR.2026.11.3.165
Choi Woong, Kim Seung In "The Effect of Restrictive vs. Unrestricted Acceptance in Conversational AI on User Psychology and Behavioral Intention" Industry Promotion Research 11.3 pp.165-178 (2026) : 165.
Choi Woong, Kim Seung In. The Effect of Restrictive vs. Unrestricted Acceptance in Conversational AI on User Psychology and Behavioral Intention. 2026; 11(3), 165-178. Available from: doi:10.21186/IPR.2026.11.3.165
Choi Woong and Kim Seung In. "The Effect of Restrictive vs. Unrestricted Acceptance in Conversational AI on User Psychology and Behavioral Intention" Industry Promotion Research 11, no.3 (2026) : 165-178.doi: 10.21186/IPR.2026.11.3.165
Choi Woong; Kim Seung In. The Effect of Restrictive vs. Unrestricted Acceptance in Conversational AI on User Psychology and Behavioral Intention. Industry Promotion Research, 11(3), 165-178. doi: 10.21186/IPR.2026.11.3.165
Choi Woong; Kim Seung In. The Effect of Restrictive vs. Unrestricted Acceptance in Conversational AI on User Psychology and Behavioral Intention. Industry Promotion Research. 2026; 11(3) 165-178. doi: 10.21186/IPR.2026.11.3.165
Choi Woong, Kim Seung In. The Effect of Restrictive vs. Unrestricted Acceptance in Conversational AI on User Psychology and Behavioral Intention. 2026; 11(3), 165-178. Available from: doi:10.21186/IPR.2026.11.3.165
Choi Woong and Kim Seung In. "The Effect of Restrictive vs. Unrestricted Acceptance in Conversational AI on User Psychology and Behavioral Intention" Industry Promotion Research 11, no.3 (2026) : 165-178.doi: 10.21186/IPR.2026.11.3.165
