->AI and the effect is has on the psyche/brain

1. On loneliness

-> Does AI play a part in the loneliness epidemic -> How do GPT transformers ease lonliness -> Is GPT an effective therapist

2. On cognitive function

->AI and the decline of cognitive function -> AI and the decline on critical thinking -> Effects of AI on language processing in kids

3. AI and addiction

-> Is AI addictive

Non-Ai Related.

-> Impact of porn on a developing brain.

PSY1102 Essay — AI & the Psyche (Due: 18/09/2025)

Phase (rubric-aligned)	Focus / Output	Start	End
Topic refine & aim	Lock a narrow title + one-sentence aim and final position	04/09	05/09
Research – map & gather	Scope related areas; search, screen, and select relevant scholarly sources	05/09	09/09
Research – extract & evaluate	Extract key findings; appraise methods/limits; organise evidence to thesis	08/09	12/09
Body drafting (60%)	Argument & Drafting	10/09	14/09
Introduction (10%)	Significance, key terms, aim, and clear position	12/09	13/09
Conclusion (10%)	Synthesis, final position, limitations/implications	15/09	15/09
Written expression (15%)	Clarity, coherence, signposting, academic tone	12/09	17/09
Referencing (APA7, 5%)	In-text + reference list; ≥4 scholarly beyond starters; formatting checks	12/09	17/09
Finalise & submit	Proof, export, portal check, submission	18/09	18/09

Articles to read

Cognitive Offloading

• https://www.cell.com/trends/cognitive-sciences/abstract/S1364-6613(16)30098-5
• https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/dwegner/files/sparrow_et_al._2011.pdf - Knowing where information can be found, and less about knowing information
  • Discuss the idea of how Google used to offload information and LLMs now replacing google
    • Research: Attempts to analyze whether the brain will default to “Googling” or breaking down a problem and thinking about it.
    • Experiment 2: Between-Subject experiment - Only one group experiences x. One group thought their data was erased -> They had better recall.
    • Experiment 3: Tested memory of participants ->
  • Evidence:
    • It would seem from this pattern that people don’t remember “where” when they know “what” but do remember where to find the information when they don’t recall it. This is preliminary evidence that when people expect information to remain continuously available (such as we expect with Internet access), they are more likely to remember where to find it than to remember the details of the item.
    • Relying on our computers and the information stored on the Internet for memory depends on several of the same transactive memory processes that underlie social information-sharing in general. These studies suggest that people share information easily because they rapidly think of computers when they find they need knowledge (experiment 1). The social form of information storage is also reflected in the findings that people forget items they think will be available externally and remember items they think will not be available (experiments 2 and 3)
    • [ ]
  • [ ]
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563215001272
  • Discusses how Smartphones Supplant thinking and how critical thinking is made redundant -> Symbiotic relationship between humans and technology. Like the above article…
    • Research:
    • Interesting Points:
      • Critical analysis vs Knowledge -> We’d have a ton of knowledge, we just cant critical analyze them
      • Type 1 Cognitive process -> Intuitive
      • Type 2 -> Working memory required
      • Thus concluded that mental shortcuts are how human brains work (cognitive miserliness)
      • [ ]
    • Evidence
      • Extremely important discussion as a subset of students were also assessed. High levels of boredom led to smartphone usage which causes cognitive miserliness, as the brain expends some energy to doing that instead of thinking.
        • Counter point 1: Could just be due to inattention…? Why would they conclude Cognitive Miserliness instead..?
        • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563215001272#b0105 - Discuss this paper too.
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563215001272#b0105
  • More on Smartphones and how it effects thinking
    • Points:
• https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00146-025-02422-7.pdf
  • AI Overreliance & Automation bias
    • The perception of AI systems & the damages it has. Cognitive phenom where people display an overreliance on automated systems favoring automated recommendations over their own judgement even when displayed otherwise.
    • Experiment
      • Users change answers to match AI recommendations. ->Weight of Advice, listens to AI more..? https://www.nature.com/articles/s41746-021-00385-9
      • Has two groups - physicians and radiologists ->Asked to view a sample, AI then came up with a report ->experts(radiologists) were more skeptical to Ai recommendations than humans.
    • Evidence
    • Discussion
    • [ ]
• https://epub.ub.uni-muenchen.de/125262/

Concepts:

1. Cognitive Offloading -> Cell.com,

   • DE

   • D: Theory where you use a physical item/trigger to offload cognitive demand of a task

   • E: Setting an Alarm to do the dishes after 15 minutes of study/Using GPT to create a schedule.

     • A computer works by having a set amount of RAM/Memory -> Similarly, according to Cell, memory works much the same way, you could break the RAM into a multiple smaller chunks working on selected tasks but there is a clear limit. -> Possibility of increasing the level? - YES! -> Jacob Collier & Hank Green interview, watch he Collier Sings, Listens and plays the guitar then cognitive offloads most of the understanding/learning.
     • Possible to increase the RAM instead..?

   • Paper discusses:

     • Active Memory
     • Prospective Memory
     • Intention Offloading
     • ‘Minimal Memory’ theory of cognition -> Theoretical framework where

   • E:

     • https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13875868.2015.1059432
     • Evidence for how Navigational Aids impair memory and does have an effect when offloading. At least when it comes to information retention

Title: Does frequent use of generative AI for study tasks undermine critical thinking through cognitive offloading?

Introduction:

As generative artificial intelligence (AI) becomes embedded in routine problem solving, studying its impacts on cognition and critical thinking become increasingly relevant.

Clear Message: AI negatively impacts overall. Will have positive impacts when trained to get the user to critically analyze. But could still potentially cause an overreliance.

Significance of broad topic area is outlined - Concepts are clearly defined where applicable - Major viewpoints clearly referred to - Little/No irrelevant information is included - Final position is stated

Arguments:

1. The idea of cognitive offloading and the effect it has on critical thinking has already been demonstrated by $x$ below.

• Offloading already impacts critical thinking -> You arent critically analyzing a task, rather just putting it through pathways. -> I’d say part of math is also NOT critical thinking
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563215001272
• Evidence for how Navigational Aids impair memory and does have an effect when offloading. At least when it comes to information retention
• The perception of AI systems & the damages it has. Cognitive phenom where people display an overreliance on automated systems favoring automated recommendations over their own judgement even when displayed otherwise.
• Discusses how Smartphones Supplant thinking and how critical thinking is made redundant -> Symbiotic relationship between humans and technology. Like the above article.
• Study also demonstrated the loss of academic performance directly correlated to the sample. Barring for certain distraction/reactions and GPA universal sample the ultimate source of how boredom proneness is a difficult analysis.
• Performance did not significantly differ between SP owners $N=98$