The Uncanny Valley is a concept in the field of robotics and human-computer interaction that describes the discomfort or eeriness people experience when they encounter humanoid entities (like robots or computer-generated characters) that closely resemble humans but have subtle differences or imperfections. As these entities become more human-like, there is a point at which they can trigger negative emotional responses rather than positive ones. This phenomenon is represented graphically as a dip in the emotional response when plotting human likeness against emotional acceptance.
The term was coined by the Japanese roboticist Masahiro Mori in 1970. According to his theory, as robots or characters approach a high degree of human likeness, people tend to find them increasingly endearing and relatable. However, when they get close to being almost human but not quite there, the slight deviations from perfect human appearance can evoke feelings of unease, discomfort, or even revulsion. Once the entities become indistinguishable from real humans, the comfort level increases again, and people tend to accept and relate to them as they would with other humans.
The Uncanny Valley effect is believed to be a result of our brain's cognitive dissonance when processing the appearance of these human-like entities. Our brains are highly attuned to recognizing and interpreting human facial expressions, movements, and nonverbal cues. When faced with something that looks almost human but falls short, it confuses our perceptual systems, leading to an unsettling feeling.
As for why certain creatures like zombies can be repulsive to look at, it's not only related to the Uncanny Valley effect but also influenced by other psychological factors:
Diseased or Decaying Appearance: Zombies are often depicted as undead beings with rotting flesh, vacant eyes, and other signs of decay. The sight of such appearances clashes with our normal perceptions of healthy living beings, triggering feelings of disgust.
Fear of the Unknown: Zombies are often portrayed as mindless, relentless, and unpredictable creatures that threaten our safety and survival. This elicits feelings of fear and anxiety.
Violation of Social Norms: Zombies are depicted as beings that disrupt the natural order, as they are neither fully alive nor truly dead. This subversion of social norms can be disturbing to some individuals.
Symbolism of Death: Zombies are associated with death and the idea of mortality, reminding us of our own vulnerability and eventual demise, which can be unsettling.
Cultural Influence: The representation of zombies in popular media, such as movies, TV shows, and video games, has further shaped our perceptions and reactions to them.
In summary, the Uncanny Valley effect explains why we might find humanoid entities with close but imperfect human resemblance unsettling. In the case of zombies, additional factors such as their diseased appearance, association with death, and cultural influences contribute to their repulsiveness.