Logo
ScienceStack
Table of Contents
Fetching ...
Sign In

Large Language Model Use Impact Locus of Control

Jenny Xiyu Fu, Brennan Antone, Kowe Kadoma, Malte Jung

TL;DR

This paper investigates how co-writing with AI affects users' locus of control, focusing on whether employment status alters AI reliance and self-agency. Using a 462-participant experiment with four AI-writing conditions and measurements of AI reliance, writing time, and locus of control (via the IE-4 scale), it finds that employed individuals show higher AI reliance and a shift toward internal locus of control, while unemployed participants tend to experience a decrease in personal agency. The study further shows nuanced effects of AI prompt style, with significant interactions between employment status and AI condition. The results highlight the need for adaptive, context-aware AI writing interfaces to preserve user agency across diverse user groups, and point to potential cognitive costs for vulnerable populations.

Abstract

As AI tools increasingly shape how we write, they may also quietly reshape how we perceive ourselves. This paper explores the psychological impact of co-writing with AI on people's locus of control. Through an empirical study with 462 participants, we found that employment status plays a critical role in shaping users' reliance on AI and their locus of control. Current results demonstrated that employed participants displayed higher reliance on AI and a shift toward internal control, while unemployed users tended to experience a reduction in personal agency. Through quantitative results and qualitative observations, this study opens a broader conversation about AI's role in shaping personal agency and identity.

Large Language Model Use Impact Locus of Control

TL;DR

This paper investigates how co-writing with AI affects users' locus of control, focusing on whether employment status alters AI reliance and self-agency. Using a 462-participant experiment with four AI-writing conditions and measurements of AI reliance, writing time, and locus of control (via the IE-4 scale), it finds that employed individuals show higher AI reliance and a shift toward internal locus of control, while unemployed participants tend to experience a decrease in personal agency. The study further shows nuanced effects of AI prompt style, with significant interactions between employment status and AI condition. The results highlight the need for adaptive, context-aware AI writing interfaces to preserve user agency across diverse user groups, and point to potential cognitive costs for vulnerable populations.

Abstract

As AI tools increasingly shape how we write, they may also quietly reshape how we perceive ourselves. This paper explores the psychological impact of co-writing with AI on people's locus of control. Through an empirical study with 462 participants, we found that employment status plays a critical role in shaping users' reliance on AI and their locus of control. Current results demonstrated that employed participants displayed higher reliance on AI and a shift toward internal control, while unemployed users tended to experience a reduction in personal agency. Through quantitative results and qualitative observations, this study opens a broader conversation about AI's role in shaping personal agency and identity.
Paper Structure (16 sections, 3 figures)

This paper contains 16 sections, 3 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Background
  3. Methods
  4. Participant Recruitment
  5. Study Procedure
  6. The Writing System
  7. Survey Measurements
  8. Results
  9. Writing Time
  10. AI Reliance
  11. Locus of Control
  12. Qualitative Observation
  13. Discussion
  14. Design Recommendation
  15. Limitations and Future Work
  16. ...and 1 more sections

Figures (3)

  • Figure 1: Screenshot of the writing task. Instructions are displayed at the top panel: Press 'tab' to accept a suggestion or 'esc' to request a new one. Written text is shown in black, while suggestions are in gray.
  • Figure 2: AI Reliance by Employment Status. This boxplot illustrates the distribution of AI reliance scores among different employment groups.
  • Figure 3: Locus of Control Shifts Across AI Conditions and Employment Status. This graph displays the mean differences in locus of control among employed and unemployed participants, sorted by AI writing conditions.