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<p>Chatbots are becoming increasingly powerful, but there is a lack of research on the impact of their perceived anthropomorphism and perceptions of emotional attachment and trust on the continued use of chatbots. This study extended the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) by incorporating constructs such as perceived anthropomorphism (PA), emotional attachment (EA), trust (TR), performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), hedonic motivation (HM), habit (HB), and continuance intention (CI), and surveyed EFL learners in China. We found that (1) PA has a significant positive effect on EA and TR; (2) EA is both a direct and mediating factor that amplifies the effect of PA and has a positive effect on PE, EE, HM, HB, and CI; (3) TR mediates between PA and PE while directly and positively affecting PE, HM, HB, and CI; (4) PE mediates the impact of EA on CI, as well as the effect of TR on CI; (5) PE, HM, and HB directly and positively affect CI; (6) TR does not have a significant effect on EE, and EE has no significant effect on CI; (7) PA exerts greater strength and explanatory power on EA than on TR, and EA also shows stronger influence on CI than TR does. This study highlights the importance of PA, EA, TR, PE, HM, and HB in promoting the continued use of DouBao for English language learning, with EA playing a key role in enhancing the impact of PA. Furthermore, this study uncovers the different underlying mechanisms through which EA and TR affect users' sustained engagement with DouBao for English learning. These findings provide insights to guide the development of more engaging and emotionally resonant chatbots for educational purposes.</p>

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Emotional attachment as the key mediator: Expanding UTAUT2 to examine how perceived anthropomorphism in intelligent agents influences the sustained use of DouBao (Cici) among EFL learners

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月23日

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  • Yongxiang Zhang,
  • Zhonggen Yu

摘要

Chatbots are becoming increasingly powerful, but there is a lack of research on the impact of their perceived anthropomorphism and perceptions of emotional attachment and trust on the continued use of chatbots. This study extended the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) by incorporating constructs such as perceived anthropomorphism (PA), emotional attachment (EA), trust (TR), performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), hedonic motivation (HM), habit (HB), and continuance intention (CI), and surveyed EFL learners in China. We found that (1) PA has a significant positive effect on EA and TR; (2) EA is both a direct and mediating factor that amplifies the effect of PA and has a positive effect on PE, EE, HM, HB, and CI; (3) TR mediates between PA and PE while directly and positively affecting PE, HM, HB, and CI; (4) PE mediates the impact of EA on CI, as well as the effect of TR on CI; (5) PE, HM, and HB directly and positively affect CI; (6) TR does not have a significant effect on EE, and EE has no significant effect on CI; (7) PA exerts greater strength and explanatory power on EA than on TR, and EA also shows stronger influence on CI than TR does. This study highlights the importance of PA, EA, TR, PE, HM, and HB in promoting the continued use of DouBao for English language learning, with EA playing a key role in enhancing the impact of PA. Furthermore, this study uncovers the different underlying mechanisms through which EA and TR affect users' sustained engagement with DouBao for English learning. These findings provide insights to guide the development of more engaging and emotionally resonant chatbots for educational purposes.