people beha While it appears inappropriate for people to relate socially to inanimate computer technology (Kelton et al. 2008; Nissenbaum 1994), research supports a social relationship between humans and computers whereby hu mans attribute to computers (and not to other inanimate objects) an array of mental properties, such as intention and preference, which result in assignment of blame (Kelton et al. 2008; Sundar and Nass 2000; Nissenbaum 1994).