Generational differences in the strength of the CASA effect

The Computers Are Social Actors (CASA) theory suggests that people interact with social computers as if they are human, exhibiting social behaviors towards these devices. This concept has been foundational in the design of various interactive technologies like voice assistants and chatbots. However, technological advancements and widespread adoption of social devices have raised questions about the theory's current relevance. Here we show that while young adults (18-29) no longer exhibit the CASA effect, older adults, particularly those aged 43 to 51, still respond to computers as social entities. This generational difference is likely caused by familiarity and desensitization to social cues from computers. This research advances our understanding of human-computer interaction by demonstrating that the CASA effect is not universally applicable across all age groups in the modern context.