🫶 Welcome to Field Report, a brief, digestible, consumable examination of what’s happening right now in psych culture with movie recommendations from Reel Therapy.
“One day the AIs are going to look back on us the same way we look at fossil skeletons... all set for extinction.” Ex Machina (2014)
Are you experiencing decision fatigue, cognitive overload, or perhaps trust issues with ChatGPT? Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing people’s daily decision-making, but it may also be creating more cognitive strain, attention deficits, and decision-making fatigue, according to a new study in Annals of Neurosciences.
Digital Dementia refers to cognitive decline caused by the overuse of digital technology. For example, did you know that hyper-dependence on the Google search engine for basic information is linked to a reduction in memory retention and recall, or that hyper-reliance on GPS tracking systems affects your spatial memory ability? Yeah, that’s a real thing!
In a sample of 500 adults (18-30 years old), they looked at AI anxiety, positive attitudes toward AI, prolonged use of AI, productivity, reliability, etc., and found that AI can increase productivity and efficiency, but decrease attention and self-confidence in decision-making, creating a kind of cognitive fatigue or digital dementia. Data also shows that AI can increase confirmation bias and groupthink, which decreases one’s critical thinking abilities.
Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome, previously referred to as “sluggish cognitive tempo,” is an understudied attentional and behavioral condition characterized by brain fog, maladaptive daydreaming, staring off into space, and slow-motion-like movements. While some studies show 40% of children with ADHD exhibit symptoms of CDS, children with autism and ADHD had higher CDS symptoms than children with ADHD alone. Overall, CDS traits associated with social and communication skills, repetitive behaviors, and sensory processing in children with autism and ADHD increase social difficulties for children, including greater social withdrawal, more repetitive behaviors, and sensory issues. The overall conclusion is that clinicians also need to assess for CDS when evaluating children with ADHD and autism to develop better intervention plans for neurodiverse clients.
Harvard Business Review said that therapy and companionship are the top two reasons people use generative AI. More than a third of psychologists report clients are turning to AI for mental health guidance, which is concerning given there is zero regulation on that guidance or what is being told to clients. Additionally, young people are turning to AI for companionship, friends, coaches, and romantic partners. In fact, many users of Character.AI (over 20 million users) actually “marry” their AI companion in virtual weddings, to which they invite friends and colleagues.
AI psychosis is an informal term used to describe when heavy or prolonged interaction with AI chatbots triggers delusions and a loss of contact with reality.
How to think critically about AI advice from APA (American Psychological Association):
Never just accept AI advice as truth. Most chatbots were not made with behavioral or mental health in mind.
If AI ever tells you to harm yourself or others, shut it down. No one should ever under any circumstances follow that kind of advice.
Never, ever make a life decision on what chatbots say. Always run it by humans you trust first.
Today, I am reminded of the sci-fi breakout film Ex Machina (2014) by Alex Garland. The film shows how AI’s perceived consciousness in the form of a humanoid female robot manipulates human empathy and judgment. I will leave you with this haunting clip below👇
Have a great weekend! Please consider sending this to someone who might like these posts! Thank you for reading!
xx Kendall
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