This article from Joseph Weizenbaum is a fascinating look at
the humanistic possibilities that computer are and possibly can become like a
human. He looks deeply into how
computers can be very humanistic in a sense of patterns and can imitate man in
every aspect. However, he believes that
there are limits to what computers ought to be put to do. I found that ELIZA brought two very
interesting perspectives. Weizenbaum
writes, “a number of practicing psychiatrists seriously believed that the
DOCTOR computer program could grow into a nearly completely automatic form of psychotherapy”. Although this was completely not the intent
of creating this program, the technique used by psychotherapist was
incorporated in this program. I could understand
the perspective of the psychotherapist believing this because some techniques utilize
a method of patterns and responses derived from the patient, and it seems that
is possible to program into a computer system.
The example of the interaction between the young lady and ELIZA is a
prime example of how this is possible.
Another idea I found very interesting was the emotional connection
people created with the DOCTOR. They had
anthropomorphized it to the point where his secretary had asked him to leave
the room because of the intimate thoughts that were being discussed with the
computer program. Weizenbaum found that
he did “not realize that extremely short exposures to a relatively simple computer
program could induce powerful delusional thinking in quite normal people.” This unexpected finding shows how people can
form such emotional bonds and create relationships between an individual and a
computer.
It is frightening to think about the level of connection people place on computers and the programs they create. As you have so pointed out in your comments that people seemed to have an attraction to certain programs especially when such programs create a response that seems directly aimed at them and not a response that is programed. I think the awe that comes from such an interaction is the perceived belief that a machine cannot be wrong and that the information that results from the interaction is based upon mathematical and logical reasoning rather than emotional. The problem is that some people do not believe that people are capable of being as good as a machine, but they fail to realize that machines are programed to process not always to think.
ReplyDeleteHey Rob,
ReplyDeleteI think you brought up some good points. The way some people reacted to the ELIZA program was much deeper than Weizenbaum intended. He did not ever plan for ELIZA to take the place of a live psychotherapy session with a trained professional human. But after reading the conversation with one patient, I do believe that it be a useful tool for the patient to use in self-reflection. I thought that the emotional connection between ELIZA was fascinating too, and how Weizenbaum was asked to leave the room during one of the patient's ELIZA sessions. I wonder if there was a lot of anthropomorphizing, or if it was simply due to the personal nature of the conversation. Most people probably want a great deal of privacy when writing in their diaries their innermost thoughts and problems; ELIZA, in a way, seems like a responsive diary that guides your thoughts along. Also, perhaps people liked ELIZA because it would be absolutely impartial; whereas with a human, there is more fear of being judged.