Embodied conversation agents (ECAs) are increasingly being developed for older adults as assistants or companions. Older adults may not be familiar with ECAs, influencing uptake and acceptability. First impressions can correlate strongly with subsequent judgments, even of computer agents, and could influence acceptance. Using the circumplex model of affect, we developed three versions of an ECA -- laughing, smiling, and neutral in expression -- to evaluate how positive first impressions affect acceptance. Results from 249 older adults indicated no statistically significant effects except for general attitudes towards technology and intelligent agents. This questions the potential of laughter, jokes, puns, and smiles as a method of initial engagement for older adults.

翻译：摘要：具身对话机器人正越来越多地被开发为老年人的助手或伴侣。老年人可能不熟悉这类机器人，从而影响其采用与接受度。第一印象与后续判断（甚至对计算机代理的判断）密切相关，并可能影响接受度。基于情感环状模型，我们开发了三种版本的具身对话机器人——分别表现为大笑、微笑和中性表情——以评估积极的第一印象对接受度的影响。来自249名老年人的结果表明，除对技术和智能代理的总体态度外，无统计学显著效应。这质疑了笑声、笑话、双关语和微笑作为老年人初始互动方法的潜力。