ORCID Number

0009-0009-0161-0832

Date of Award

Winter 2025

Access Type

Thesis - Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Human Factors & Systems

Department

Human Factors and Systems

Committee Chair

Dennis A. Vincenzi

Committee Chair Email

vincenzd@erau.edu

Committee Advisor

Thomas Young

Committee Advisor Email

youngt17@erau.edu

College Dean

Alexander Siedschlag

Abstract

Abstract

With the increased use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) automations in fields like medical diagnoses and mental health queries, there are concerns regarding an individual’s trust and reliance on the technology. Reliance on AI output may lead an individual to accept inaccurate or incorrect information without further analysis. Trust may influence reliance and trust formation may be a product of affective processing. This study investigated the relationship between Need for Affect (NFA), Need for Cognition (NFC), and trust and reliance on AI interactions. Participants were assessed on the NFA scale for willingness to approach or avoid emotional stimuli, the NFC scale for motivation to engage in thoughtful analysis, trust, and reliance perceptions in AI systems. It was found that Need for Affect had a significant, positive relationship with trust; no effect was found between Need for Affect and reliance. Need for cognition was found to have a significant, positive relationship with reliance, though no effect was found with Need for Cognition and trust. The findings suggest that individuals with high affective- processing may be more likely to trust AI systems, whereas those with high cognitive- processing may be more likely to have high reliance on AI systems. This sheds light on the need for interventions in AI design that can promote a safe environment for users with higher trust and reliance traits, especially in systems that assist with high-stakes decision-making.


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