How Does ChatGPT Hinder Psychological Functioning?

Written by Nicholas Lapierre

Thumbnail & Banner Photo by Emiliano Vittoriosi on Unsplash


ChatGPT is a language processing software that can create human-like text. The program can create everything from articles to short stories. It is similar to AI customer services that generate dialog and certain prompts to help solve specific issues. Grammarly is an example of an AI assistance designed to offer writers helpful suggestions. Indeed, scholars have used AI in their academic articles to make suggestions and edit grammar issues. However, many problems exist for students who use AI from start to finish instead of a supportive editing tool. 


According to a recent news report, over half of Canadian university students use ChatGPT to complete projects.  Not all students use ChatGPT in their work, but those who do are at risk of impairing their psychological functioning. For instance, many teachers wonder how their students can develop essential skills when using AI to write. For those choosing to use this program as a shortcut, think again. Students fail to realize that there are numerous psychological disadvantages to using AI. According to some studies, the consequences include impacting memory and limiting the student's view of reality.

Further research has shown that students using AI are more likely to be lazy. With over 50 percent of Canadian students using this software, educators must discover ways to prevent plagiarism. Additionally, experts claim that ChatGPT needs to provide more accurate information. Scholars argue that these effects will stop students from developing the necessary skills for their future careers. Technology has its place in society, but it needs to be closely monitored in schools to ensure students can learn and grow. 


How does AI impact motivation and productivity?

One significant psychological impact caused by ChatGPT is the lack of motivation and creativity within school systems. Although Artificial Intelligence is considered a blessing in disguise, many believe it will destroy education.  One student from Glenbard West High School in the United States argued that some students use ChatGPT as a method of cheating. Additionally, he argued that his peers will become less interactive with literature. For example, students analyzing a poem used ChatGPT to write an analysis of this poem. The lack of motivation can lead to decreased cognitive abilities in students. The AI conducts all the hard work, impeding a student’s ability to employ creativity on assignments, reducing motivation, and increasing laziness. The habit of thoughtlessly using AI is one of the many issues it presents for students and educators. Thus, Chat GPT has critical impacts on psychological functioning.


How does AI affect learning and memory?

ChatGPT is a technology that can cause a decline in memory retention if used excessively. Studies argue that people who rely on specific AI programs interfere with the ability to retain information. The students who use AI to complete assignments may receive a decent mark but develop memory retention issues over time.  Students are required to reflect clear definitions in their courses, yet if ChatGPT is consistently used, students will no longer be able to retain key concepts that are part of their degree. Ultimately, ChatGPT usage could interfere with students' ability to remember essential definitions for a test. 

How does AI impact academic skills?

 The students lacking the work ethic to produce their writing will likely be invaluable in the workforce. In addition, they may lose vital academic skills such as writing. Education aims to foster productive and efficient minds through repetition and practice, also known as neuroplasticity, in which the brain changes and adjusts in response to our experience. Once students turn to AI for their work completion, they lose out on opportunities to practice using the necessary skills. Students giving up learning by allowing ChatGPT to do their work is one of the many ways AIs interfere with student decision-making. This leads to the depletion of neurons in the brain assigned to perform a specific task, making it difficult for individuals to complete tasks that rely on those lost skills. According to an article in the Economist, many scholars suggest that there will be a decrease in academic skills due to AI. Studies have shown that those who rely on ChatGPT as their primary source of information will no longer feel the need to question their knowledge.

Indeed, asking for knowledge is one of the decisions students make when pursuing education, especially at the university level. However, if AI discourages students from seeking knowledge, AI has decided for them. The convenience offered by artificial intelligence will likely defeat the students' motivation to learn new subjects. If students have access to writing and research through a chatbot, the purpose of practicing these activities loses meaning. For instance, the ChatGPT effect is a term used to describe the neurological impact of AI on human beings. The ChatGPT effect causes the human brain to rely on half-based assumptions made by AI instead of factual information. Students choosing false information over relevant data is just one of the many ways students' decisions will be impacted. Hence, it would be unfortunate to see some students being influenced by ChatGPT's inaccurate data instead of using their minds.


How does AI impact habits? 

Artificial intelligence can affect human behavior. Consistent use of technology can indeed cause mental health issues among students. In the case of ChatGPT, writers, and scholars have argued that using this technology could potentially lead to addictive behaviors. Similar to how individuals check their phones, students may habitually rely on AI for regular information, such as the time and weather. It's okay to Google the definition of a word once in a while or check the time. Yet, always relying on an automated service for basic everyday facts is unnecessary. Although this may not be considered a severe issue, it could interfere with students' lives by distracting them from what is essential, such as school, work, and social relationships.


It is activities like writing and thinking that preserve the human mind. The frequent usage of ChatGPT can increase laziness and decrease motivation among students. In addition, it can cause troublesome memory retention because of the easily accessible information that ChatGPT offers. It's okay to have data, but taking away from the learning process is not. Importantly, students lose their skills in certain areas of study. Once students rely on AI, it will be challenging to accomplish specific tasks requiring intuition and creativity. Professors and teachers agree that students need to be able to apply the concepts they learn from their classes in real-life scenarios and situations. If students allow technology to write essays, why not enable George Orwell, who once said, “ If a person cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if a person cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them.” 

Rita Jabbour