Behavioural Sociology of Humans and Machines

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly participates in communication, decision-making, and collective action, making the social organisation of human–machine interaction central to Hybrid Intelligence (HI). This chapter reviews the behavioural sociology of humans and machines through an HI lens, examining how interaction and feedback shape the combination of human and artificial capabilities. Drawing on sociology, social psychology, human–computer interaction, organisational studies, collective intelligence, and science and technology studies, it traces processes from individual social perception to cooperation in hybrid groups and organisational and institutional arrangements. Particular attention is given to how machine participation alters familiar mechanisms: social categorisation attaches expectations to designed identities, reciprocity may involve unequal social obligations, and algorithmic recommendations acquire authority through organisational practices. The chapter distinguishes observable machine behaviour from human interpretations of intention, understanding, and moral responsibility. It also considers how behavioural effects can extend beyond direct human–machine encounters, while separating established findings from proposed longer-term consequences. It argues that the benefits of HI depend on how roles, incentives, reliance, and accountability are organised, and identifies priorities for empirical research on these evolving sociotechnical arrangements.