ChatGPT as a Solution to Emotional Loneliness: A New Tool for Interpersonal Communication

Abstract

Loneliness stands as one of the most pervasive and universal health issues in contemporary society. This study, conducted within the scope of emotional loneliness, delves into the nuances of loneliness, understanding its origin and how it manifests in individuals. In the research where students from the Faculty of Communication of a foundation university in Istanbul were chosen as the sample, the data collected through in-depth interviews, a qualitative data collection tool, were analyzed using content analysis method. This phenomenological research design aimed to assess participants’ attitudes toward utilizing a chatbot (ChatGPT) as a tool to combat emotional loneliness. Despite their generally positive disposition and strong tendency to anthropomorphize, participants were found to approach the use of ChatGPT with caution. The majority harbored negative judgments about ChatGPT and technological tools meeting emotional and social needs. However, a significant portion believes that the widespread adoption of ChatGPT and similar tools for socialization is imminent in the near future. Concerns predominantly revolve around mistrust in artificial intelligence technologies’ ability to meet emotional needs and the potential harms they could inflict on socio-cultural life, with ethical issues forming another major theme. Notably, when expressing their apprehensions, participants frequently referenced artificial intelligence representations in popular culture, such as films, series, and games.

Keywords

• ChatGPT
• Interpersonal Communication
• Loneliness
• Anthropomorphism
• Chatbot

Duygusal Yalnızlığa Bir Çözüm Olarak Chatgpt: Kişilerarası İletişimin Yeni Aracı

Abstract

Yalnızlık, günümüz toplumunun en yaygın sağlık sorunlarından biridir. Kaynaklandığı nedene veya bireyde ortaya çıkan belirtilere bağlı olarak farklı şekillerde ele alınan yalnızlık, çalışma kapsamında duygusal yalnızlık özelinde irdelenmiştir. Duygusal yalnızlık ile başa çıkmak adına bir sohbet botunun (Chatgpt) kullanılmasına yönelik katılımcıların tutumlarının incelendiği çalışma olgubilim araştırma desenine sahiptir. İstanbul’da bir vakıf üniversitesinin İletişim Fakültesi öğrencilerinin örneklem olarak seçildiği araştırmada, nitel veri toplama aracı olan derinlemesine görüşme vasıtasıyla toplanan veriler içerik analizi yöntemi ile analiz edilmiştir. Katılımcıların, olumlu tutumları ve güçlü antropomorfize etme reflekslerinin aksine Chatgpt’nin yalnızlıkla mücadele etme aracı olarak kullanımına temkinli yaklaştıkları anlaşılmıştır. Katılımcıların büyük çoğunluğu Chatgpt ve teknolojik araçların duygusal ve sosyal ihtiyaçları karşılamasına yönelik olumsuz bir yargıya sahiptir. Buna karşın katılımcıların büyük bir çoğunluğu yakın bir gelecekte Chatgpt ve benzeri araçların sosyalleşme amacıyla kullanılmasının yaygınlaşacağına inanmaktadır. Yapay zekâ teknolojilerinin duygusal ihtiyaçları karşılama yeteneğine yönelik güvensizlik ve duygusal ihtiyaçları karşılaması halinde sosyo-kültürel hayata verebileceği zararlar merkezinde ağırlık kazanan endişelerin bir diğer ortak teması ise etik sorunlardır. Ayrıca katılımcıların endişelerini aktarırken popüler kültürde yer alan (film, dizi ve oyun vb.) yapay zekâ temsillerini işaret ettiği görülmektedir.

Keywords

• Chatgpt
• Kişilerarası İletişim
• Yalnızlık
• Antropomorfizm
• Sohbet Botu

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