Encouraging Children’s Curiosity and Learning Through AI-generated Media: The Influence of Character Similarity and Culture

• In Event: AERA Research in Progress Roundtable Session Four
  In Invited Roundtable: Research-in-Progress RT016 (Saturday)

Abstract

Curiosity is an important mechanism for early learning. This study investigates whether children’s curiosity and learning can be enhanced by viewing AI-generated science videos featuring characters with different types of similarity. Participants (N = 189, aged 6–7 years) will be randomly assigned to view videos with characters that are race-similar, gender-similar, or dissimilar to themselves. The study will examine whether character similarity influences curiosity and learning, whether these effects differ across cultural contexts (United States vs. South Korea), and whether identification with the character mediates these effects. Findings may have theoretical implications for understanding the mechanisms underlying the role of media in developmental outcomes and provide practically useful information for media content creators and educators.

Authors

• Hyunyoung Cho, Boston College

• Elida V. Laski, Boston College

• Marina Vasilyeva, Boston College