Despite the growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI)-based agents in human daily life, there remains a dearth of exploration and synthesized evidence on the social aspects of human-AI interaction. Researchers have increasingly viewed AI agents as a distinct form of media persona, sparking interest in the phenomenon of parasocial interaction (PSI) with these entities. Building on this emerging area of inquiry, this scoping review aims to examine the applicability of the parasocial concept to human-AI agent interactions and to evaluate whether these interactions can be considered "parasocial." Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, the findings suggest a propensity to misconstrue PSI in terms of reciprocity and sociability within the context of enhanced interactivity in human-AI communication. This study contributes to parasocial theory building and offers critical insights for future human-AI PSI research, underscoring the importance of applying the parasocial concept within its intended conceptual boundaries, particularly in the field of human-AI and broader human-machine communication.
{"title":"Is Interaction Between Human and Artificial Intelligence-Driven Agents (Para)Social? A Scoping Review.","authors":"Dandan Liu","doi":"10.1089/cyber.2024.0532","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2024.0532","url":null,"abstract":"Despite the growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI)-based agents in human daily life, there remains a dearth of exploration and synthesized evidence on the social aspects of human-AI interaction. Researchers have increasingly viewed AI agents as a distinct form of media persona, sparking interest in the phenomenon of parasocial interaction (PSI) with these entities. Building on this emerging area of inquiry, this scoping review aims to examine the applicability of the parasocial concept to human-AI agent interactions and to evaluate whether these interactions can be considered \"parasocial.\" Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, the findings suggest a propensity to misconstrue PSI in terms of reciprocity and sociability within the context of enhanced interactivity in human-AI communication. This study contributes to parasocial theory building and offers critical insights for future human-AI PSI research, underscoring the importance of applying the parasocial concept within its intended conceptual boundaries, particularly in the field of human-AI and broader human-machine communication.","PeriodicalId":10872,"journal":{"name":"Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144146187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laura Rubio Fidel,Miriam Cotaina Berto,Laurencio Pérez Turleque,Azucena García-Palacios,Carlos Suso-Ribera
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition marked by widespread pain, psychological distress, and significant societal costs. This study evaluates the feasibility of a mobile health (mHealth) application designed to support cognitive-behavioral therapy for FM by enabling real-time tracking of patient-reported outcomes and adaptive treatment modifications within public health care settings. Thirty-six adults with FM participated in this feasibility study, which assessed the app's usability, acceptability, and clinical utility for both patients and therapists. Results demonstrated high usability ratings (87.63 for patients, 88.75 for therapists) and adherence rates (67.9 percent of requested evaluations completed), confirming the app's practicality and engagement potential. The app generated 1,348 clinical alarms during the intervention, providing actionable insights that allowed therapists to tailor treatments dynamically. This study highlights the role of mHealth technologies in enhancing psychological care through data-driven, real-time monitoring, and treatment personalization. Small but notable reductions in depression levels underscore the app's potential to improve psychological outcomes. By fostering engagement and facilitating personalized care, this approach advances the integration of digital health tools in chronic disease management, offering a scalable model for enhancing behavioral interventions in public health systems.
{"title":"Feasibility of an App-Supported Monitoring System for Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Fibromyalgia Patients in Public Settings.","authors":"Laura Rubio Fidel,Miriam Cotaina Berto,Laurencio Pérez Turleque,Azucena García-Palacios,Carlos Suso-Ribera","doi":"10.1089/cyber.2024.0582","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2024.0582","url":null,"abstract":"Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition marked by widespread pain, psychological distress, and significant societal costs. This study evaluates the feasibility of a mobile health (mHealth) application designed to support cognitive-behavioral therapy for FM by enabling real-time tracking of patient-reported outcomes and adaptive treatment modifications within public health care settings. Thirty-six adults with FM participated in this feasibility study, which assessed the app's usability, acceptability, and clinical utility for both patients and therapists. Results demonstrated high usability ratings (87.63 for patients, 88.75 for therapists) and adherence rates (67.9 percent of requested evaluations completed), confirming the app's practicality and engagement potential. The app generated 1,348 clinical alarms during the intervention, providing actionable insights that allowed therapists to tailor treatments dynamically. This study highlights the role of mHealth technologies in enhancing psychological care through data-driven, real-time monitoring, and treatment personalization. Small but notable reductions in depression levels underscore the app's potential to improve psychological outcomes. By fostering engagement and facilitating personalized care, this approach advances the integration of digital health tools in chronic disease management, offering a scalable model for enhancing behavioral interventions in public health systems.","PeriodicalId":10872,"journal":{"name":"Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144103688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lorenzo Antichi,Lorenzo Baglìo,Chiara Rossi,Giuseppe Riva
{"title":"Introspecta VR: The Use of Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence for Self-Understanding, Future Self-Identification, and Personal Transformation.","authors":"Lorenzo Antichi,Lorenzo Baglìo,Chiara Rossi,Giuseppe Riva","doi":"10.1089/cyber.2025.0172","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2025.0172","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10872,"journal":{"name":"Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144097804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Soowon Park,Yeeun Byeon,Jung-In Lim,Hyeonjin Kim,Jun-Young Lee
This study examines the neural underpinnings of the intention to use cognitive training digital therapeutics among older adults with subjective memory complaints. A total of 23 older adults with a clinical dementia rating score of 0.5-commonly interpreted as indicative of very mild cognitive impairment-participated in cognitive training using a smartphone application. Leveraging functional near-infrared spectroscopy during cognitive training and the technology acceptance model, this research investigates the predictive role of neural activation on the intention to use. Results revealed that higher activation in the right medial prefrontal cortex and reduced activation in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during cognitive training were significantly associated with increased intention to use. The interplay between neural mechanisms in the motivational system and the cognitive control system at the prefrontal cortex level plays a critical role in shaping the intention to use.
{"title":"Exploring Brain Activation as a Predictor of Intention to Use Cognitive Training Digital Therapeutics: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study.","authors":"Soowon Park,Yeeun Byeon,Jung-In Lim,Hyeonjin Kim,Jun-Young Lee","doi":"10.1089/cyber.2025.0026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2025.0026","url":null,"abstract":"This study examines the neural underpinnings of the intention to use cognitive training digital therapeutics among older adults with subjective memory complaints. A total of 23 older adults with a clinical dementia rating score of 0.5-commonly interpreted as indicative of very mild cognitive impairment-participated in cognitive training using a smartphone application. Leveraging functional near-infrared spectroscopy during cognitive training and the technology acceptance model, this research investigates the predictive role of neural activation on the intention to use. Results revealed that higher activation in the right medial prefrontal cortex and reduced activation in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during cognitive training were significantly associated with increased intention to use. The interplay between neural mechanisms in the motivational system and the cognitive control system at the prefrontal cortex level plays a critical role in shaping the intention to use.","PeriodicalId":10872,"journal":{"name":"Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking","volume":"45 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144097768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Technological advancement has transformed nearly every aspect of modern life. Nonetheless excessive use of smartphone has become a matter of concern. Adolescents and young adults tend to be more attached or addictive to smartphones and their effects are seen either physically or psychologically. However, there are still no established diagnostic criteria for smartphone addiction in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. The present review aimed at looking into the available evidence of personality factors in connection with smartphone use and thereby exploring the role of personality in interventions for smartphone addiction on the ground of theoretical foundation. Findings revealed that high neuroticism was significantly related to excessive use and even predicted problematic use of smartphones. Though studies revealed that extraversion may cause an individual to be inclined to increased smartphone usage, it would not lead to smartphone addiction. Similarly, openness to experience traits showed a slight negative association and were not significant predictors of smartphone addiction, whereas conscientiousness and high agreeableness appeared to be protective factors against its development. Research on the relationship between smartphone addiction and social-emotional distress is still in its early stages, requiring cautious generalization. Since eliminating smartphone use completely is impractical, possible interventions for smartphone addiction linked with personality are recommended.
{"title":"Personality Traits that Predispose or Protect in Smartphone Addiction and Their Implications for Intervention: A Narrative Review.","authors":"Nisha John,Maya Sahu,Manoj Kumar Sharma,Pratima Murthy","doi":"10.1089/cyber.2024.0444","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2024.0444","url":null,"abstract":"Technological advancement has transformed nearly every aspect of modern life. Nonetheless excessive use of smartphone has become a matter of concern. Adolescents and young adults tend to be more attached or addictive to smartphones and their effects are seen either physically or psychologically. However, there are still no established diagnostic criteria for smartphone addiction in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. The present review aimed at looking into the available evidence of personality factors in connection with smartphone use and thereby exploring the role of personality in interventions for smartphone addiction on the ground of theoretical foundation. Findings revealed that high neuroticism was significantly related to excessive use and even predicted problematic use of smartphones. Though studies revealed that extraversion may cause an individual to be inclined to increased smartphone usage, it would not lead to smartphone addiction. Similarly, openness to experience traits showed a slight negative association and were not significant predictors of smartphone addiction, whereas conscientiousness and high agreeableness appeared to be protective factors against its development. Research on the relationship between smartphone addiction and social-emotional distress is still in its early stages, requiring cautious generalization. Since eliminating smartphone use completely is impractical, possible interventions for smartphone addiction linked with personality are recommended.","PeriodicalId":10872,"journal":{"name":"Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144097767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Melinda Nuttall,Tanya Machin,Raquel Peel,Susan Abel,Samantha Brown
People are fundamentally social creatures, seeking connectedness driven by a need to belong. Belonging is a subjective feeling that helps us recognize our connection to people, social groups, culture, places, and experiences. In turn, belongingness can support mental well-being through positive interpersonal interactions and encouragement in both face-to-face and online environments. Advancements in technologies and social media platforms have created spaces for people to connect virtually; however, little is known about users' online prosocial behaviors. Hence, this scoping review aimed to identify (a) how online prosocial behavior is defined; (b) explore the types of online prosocial behavior people are engaging in; and (c) explore what motivates people to engage in online prosocial behavior. Utilizing the Joanna Briggs Institute's nine-step framework methodology, a review of the Scopus and PubMed databases was undertaken. From 755 retrieved articles, 43 were included. Various online prosocial behavioral definitions were identified, related to an individual's attitudes, values, and beliefs, underpinned by the motives driving behavioral intent and action. Two categories of online prosocial behavior were identified: (1) intrinsic with two subcategories: (1.1) altruism and (1.2) reciprocity; and (2) extrinsic with one subcategory of (2.1) social connectedness. Two categories of motivators of online prosocial behavior were identified: (1) intrinsic with subcategories of (1.1) altruism, (1.2) empathy, (1.3) self-efficacy, (1.4) reciprocity, and (1.5) safety and trust; and (2) extrinsic with subcategories of (2.1) ease of use/practicality, (2.2) reputation, (2.3) personal gain, and (2.4) social connectedness.
{"title":"Online Prosocial Behaviors: A Scoping Review of Definitions, Actions, and Motivators.","authors":"Melinda Nuttall,Tanya Machin,Raquel Peel,Susan Abel,Samantha Brown","doi":"10.1089/cyber.2024.0481","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2024.0481","url":null,"abstract":"People are fundamentally social creatures, seeking connectedness driven by a need to belong. Belonging is a subjective feeling that helps us recognize our connection to people, social groups, culture, places, and experiences. In turn, belongingness can support mental well-being through positive interpersonal interactions and encouragement in both face-to-face and online environments. Advancements in technologies and social media platforms have created spaces for people to connect virtually; however, little is known about users' online prosocial behaviors. Hence, this scoping review aimed to identify (a) how online prosocial behavior is defined; (b) explore the types of online prosocial behavior people are engaging in; and (c) explore what motivates people to engage in online prosocial behavior. Utilizing the Joanna Briggs Institute's nine-step framework methodology, a review of the Scopus and PubMed databases was undertaken. From 755 retrieved articles, 43 were included. Various online prosocial behavioral definitions were identified, related to an individual's attitudes, values, and beliefs, underpinned by the motives driving behavioral intent and action. Two categories of online prosocial behavior were identified: (1) intrinsic with two subcategories: (1.1) altruism and (1.2) reciprocity; and (2) extrinsic with one subcategory of (2.1) social connectedness. Two categories of motivators of online prosocial behavior were identified: (1) intrinsic with subcategories of (1.1) altruism, (1.2) empathy, (1.3) self-efficacy, (1.4) reciprocity, and (1.5) safety and trust; and (2) extrinsic with subcategories of (2.1) ease of use/practicality, (2.2) reputation, (2.3) personal gain, and (2.4) social connectedness.","PeriodicalId":10872,"journal":{"name":"Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking","volume":"35 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144065759","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Giovanni Bruno,Alex Marson,Federica Nenna,Carolina Diaz-Piedra,Andrea Spoto
Automated vehicles (AVs) have the potential to significantly enhance road safety, traffic efficiency, and mobility access by supporting or replacing human control during driving. However, the success of this transition hinges on people's attitudes. This study explores the dimensionality and factor interactions in the adaptation of the technology acceptance model (TAM) to conditional AVs applied to an Italian sample, to provide a new perspective on the acceptance of the intermediate level of driving automation. After evaluating the content and relevance of the subscales, we analyzed responses from 201 Italian-speaking individuals collected through a questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the scale's factor structure and interrelations. Results indicate that most items demonstrated satisfactory fit and the questionnaire maintained its overall factor structure in the Italian context. Interestingly, an unmediated effect of the Perceived Utility of AVs-and, to a lesser extent, concerns with the manufacturer's compliance with ethical data treatment procedures-were found on the intention to use AVs. These findings contribute to the understanding of factors influencing the acceptance of AVs. They underscore the importance of users' perceptions of both practical utility and proper privacy safeguarding in determining the acceptance of the described AV technology. The implications for the development of TAM extensions and future research directions are also discussed.
{"title":"Attitudes Toward the Use of Conditional Automated Vehicles in the Technology Acceptance Model Framework: Evidence from an Italian Sample.","authors":"Giovanni Bruno,Alex Marson,Federica Nenna,Carolina Diaz-Piedra,Andrea Spoto","doi":"10.1089/cyber.2024.0517","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2024.0517","url":null,"abstract":"Automated vehicles (AVs) have the potential to significantly enhance road safety, traffic efficiency, and mobility access by supporting or replacing human control during driving. However, the success of this transition hinges on people's attitudes. This study explores the dimensionality and factor interactions in the adaptation of the technology acceptance model (TAM) to conditional AVs applied to an Italian sample, to provide a new perspective on the acceptance of the intermediate level of driving automation. After evaluating the content and relevance of the subscales, we analyzed responses from 201 Italian-speaking individuals collected through a questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the scale's factor structure and interrelations. Results indicate that most items demonstrated satisfactory fit and the questionnaire maintained its overall factor structure in the Italian context. Interestingly, an unmediated effect of the Perceived Utility of AVs-and, to a lesser extent, concerns with the manufacturer's compliance with ethical data treatment procedures-were found on the intention to use AVs. These findings contribute to the understanding of factors influencing the acceptance of AVs. They underscore the importance of users' perceptions of both practical utility and proper privacy safeguarding in determining the acceptance of the described AV technology. The implications for the development of TAM extensions and future research directions are also discussed.","PeriodicalId":10872,"journal":{"name":"Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking","volume":"35 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143933092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Hacker's Pulse: Using Biometrics to Unmask Cyber Threats.","authors":"Brenda K Wiederhold","doi":"10.1089/cyber.2025.0144","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2025.0144","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10872,"journal":{"name":"Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143914928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The development of Large Language Models (LLMs) has sparked significant debate regarding their capacity for Theory of Mind (ToM)-the ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others. This systematic review examines the extent to which LLMs exhibit Artificial ToM (AToM) by evaluating their performance on ToM tasks and comparing it with human responses. While LLMs, particularly GPT-4, perform well on first-order false belief tasks, they struggle with more complex reasoning, such as second-order beliefs and recursive inferences, where humans consistently outperform them. Moreover, the review underscores the variability in ToM assessments, as many studies adapt classical tasks for LLMs, raising concerns about comparability with human ToM. Most evaluations remain constrained to text-based tasks, overlooking embodied and multimodal dimensions crucial to human social cognition. This review discusses the "illusion of understanding" in LLMs for two primary reasons: First, their lack of the developmental and cognitive mechanisms necessary for genuine ToM, and second, methodological biases in test designs that favor LLMs' strengths, limiting direct comparisons with human performance. The findings highlight the need for more ecologically valid assessments and interdisciplinary research to better delineate the limitations and potential of AToM. This set of issues is highly relevant to psychology, as language is generally considered just one component in the broader development of human ToM, a perspective that contrasts with the dominant approach in AToM studies. This discrepancy raises critical questions about the extent to which human ToM and AToM are comparable.
{"title":"Artificial Intelligence and the Illusion of Understanding: A Systematic Review of Theory of Mind and Large Language Models.","authors":"Antonella Marchetti,Federico Manzi,Giuseppe Riva,Andrea Gaggioli,Davide Massaro","doi":"10.1089/cyber.2024.0536","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2024.0536","url":null,"abstract":"The development of Large Language Models (LLMs) has sparked significant debate regarding their capacity for Theory of Mind (ToM)-the ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others. This systematic review examines the extent to which LLMs exhibit Artificial ToM (AToM) by evaluating their performance on ToM tasks and comparing it with human responses. While LLMs, particularly GPT-4, perform well on first-order false belief tasks, they struggle with more complex reasoning, such as second-order beliefs and recursive inferences, where humans consistently outperform them. Moreover, the review underscores the variability in ToM assessments, as many studies adapt classical tasks for LLMs, raising concerns about comparability with human ToM. Most evaluations remain constrained to text-based tasks, overlooking embodied and multimodal dimensions crucial to human social cognition. This review discusses the \"illusion of understanding\" in LLMs for two primary reasons: First, their lack of the developmental and cognitive mechanisms necessary for genuine ToM, and second, methodological biases in test designs that favor LLMs' strengths, limiting direct comparisons with human performance. The findings highlight the need for more ecologically valid assessments and interdisciplinary research to better delineate the limitations and potential of AToM. This set of issues is highly relevant to psychology, as language is generally considered just one component in the broader development of human ToM, a perspective that contrasts with the dominant approach in AToM studies. This discrepancy raises critical questions about the extent to which human ToM and AToM are comparable.","PeriodicalId":10872,"journal":{"name":"Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143920975","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jang Ho Moon,Seheon Kim,Youngju Jung,Jaeyeon Bang,Yongjun Sung
As algorithms increasingly shape user experiences on digital platforms, concerns have emerged regarding their opacity and potential negative consequences. In response, platforms have introduced transparency features such as algorithm-based recommendation explanations and user control features. However, empirical research on the effects of these approaches and how they vary according to user characteristics remains limited. This study explores the impact of algorithmic explainability and user control on perceptions of algorithmic transparency, legitimacy, and platform satisfaction in short-form video platforms, focusing on how users' algorithmic literacy moderates these relationships. A 2 (explainability: present vs. absent) × 2 (user control: present vs. absent) × 2 (algorithmic literacy: high vs. low) between-subjects experiment was conducted with 240 participants using a fictitious short-form video platform. The results revealed a significant three-way interaction across all the dependent variables. Both explainability and user control enhanced perceived algorithmic transparency, legitimacy, and satisfaction. When neither feature was present, algorithmic literacy had no significant impact. However, when at least one feature was present, literacy significantly influenced the dependent variables. These findings highlight the critical role of algorithmic literacy in moderating transparency mechanisms' effects. This study advances the understanding of how platform-initiated transparency shapes user perceptions, suggesting that literacy creates a new dimension of the digital divide, where transparency benefits are unequally experienced. Implications for platform developers and policymakers are discussed.
{"title":"The Effects of Explainability and User Control on Algorithmic Transparency: The Moderating Role of Algorithmic Literacy.","authors":"Jang Ho Moon,Seheon Kim,Youngju Jung,Jaeyeon Bang,Yongjun Sung","doi":"10.1089/cyber.2024.0525","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2024.0525","url":null,"abstract":"As algorithms increasingly shape user experiences on digital platforms, concerns have emerged regarding their opacity and potential negative consequences. In response, platforms have introduced transparency features such as algorithm-based recommendation explanations and user control features. However, empirical research on the effects of these approaches and how they vary according to user characteristics remains limited. This study explores the impact of algorithmic explainability and user control on perceptions of algorithmic transparency, legitimacy, and platform satisfaction in short-form video platforms, focusing on how users' algorithmic literacy moderates these relationships. A 2 (explainability: present vs. absent) × 2 (user control: present vs. absent) × 2 (algorithmic literacy: high vs. low) between-subjects experiment was conducted with 240 participants using a fictitious short-form video platform. The results revealed a significant three-way interaction across all the dependent variables. Both explainability and user control enhanced perceived algorithmic transparency, legitimacy, and satisfaction. When neither feature was present, algorithmic literacy had no significant impact. However, when at least one feature was present, literacy significantly influenced the dependent variables. These findings highlight the critical role of algorithmic literacy in moderating transparency mechanisms' effects. This study advances the understanding of how platform-initiated transparency shapes user perceptions, suggesting that literacy creates a new dimension of the digital divide, where transparency benefits are unequally experienced. Implications for platform developers and policymakers are discussed.","PeriodicalId":10872,"journal":{"name":"Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking","volume":"68 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143914936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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