Why we are afraid of creepy dolls and robots

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Anything with a highly human-like appearance can be subject to the uncanny valley effect, but the most common examples are androids, computer game characters and life-like dolls. Still debated Since 1970, the uncanny valley effect has been explored from many perspectives, from the practical interest of roboticists to theoretical approaches from philosophers and experimental studies conducted by psychologists. Academics are even engaged in an active debate as to whether the uncanny valley exists at all – Jari Kätsyri and colleagues recently reviewed the evidence and drew the conclusion that the effect remains elusive. Top three theories First, the uncanny valley might occur at the boundary where something moves from one category to another, in this case, between non-human and human.