Uncanny valley

Definition

The uncanny valley is a concept in robotics and artificial intelligence that describes the discomfort or eeriness felt by humans when they encounter a humanoid robot or digital character that looks and acts almost, but not quite, like a real human. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in horror and suspense storytelling, where characters that fall into this valley can evoke strong emotional reactions due to their almost-real appearance combined with unsettling behaviors.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The term 'uncanny valley' was coined by Japanese roboticist Masahiro Mori in 1970, specifically to describe how robots that look almost human can create feelings of unease.
2. In horror films and literature, characters that fall into the uncanny valley can enhance tension and fear, as they challenge the audience's perceptions of reality and familiarity.
3. Examples of the uncanny valley can be found in computer-generated imagery (CGI) where characters look realistic but exhibit unnatural movements or expressions.
4. The uncanny valley effect can be used as a tool for creators to evoke empathy or revulsion, making it a powerful device in horror and suspense storytelling.
5. Understanding the uncanny valley helps writers and filmmakers create more relatable characters, as straying too far from realism can alienate audiences rather than engage them.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of the uncanny valley relate to character design in horror narratives?
  • The uncanny valley plays a crucial role in character design for horror narratives by introducing characters that look nearly human but behave in unsettling ways. This dissonance creates a strong emotional response from audiences, as their instinctual recognition of humanity clashes with the characters' eerie features or movements. Writers can leverage this effect to enhance fear and tension, making viewers question what is real and what is not.
• Discuss how creators can intentionally use the uncanny valley to elicit specific emotional responses in audiences within suspenseful stories.
  • Creators can intentionally exploit the uncanny valley to provoke feelings of discomfort and dread in audiences. By designing characters that are almost lifelike yet possess subtle abnormalities or unnatural behaviors, filmmakers can create a sense of unease that heightens suspense. This tactic encourages viewers to engage more deeply with the narrative as they grapple with their emotional responses to these unsettling characters.
• Evaluate the implications of the uncanny valley on audience engagement and empathy when characters are portrayed in horror films versus traditional storytelling.
  • The uncanny valley significantly impacts audience engagement and empathy, especially in horror films compared to traditional storytelling. Characters that evoke this phenomenon can simultaneously attract interest and repel viewers, creating a complex emotional landscape. While traditional storytelling often fosters empathy through relatable characters, horror narratives may utilize the uncanny valley to disturb that empathy, forcing audiences to confront their fears and question their emotional responses toward nearly human figures. This duality shapes the overall experience, influencing how effectively horror stories resonate with their audiences.

Related terms

Suspense:

A feeling of excitement or anxious uncertainty about what may happen next in a story.

Anthropomorphism: The attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities or objects.

Affective Response: An emotional reaction that occurs as a response to stimuli, often influencing how audiences perceive characters and narratives.