Advisers

Michael L. Bersamin, LPT

Discipline

Psychology

Abstract

The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in higher education has significantly transformed how students approach academic tasks. AI tools such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, and similar applications are commonly used for writing assistance, summarizing concepts, and organizing ideas. This study examined the level of reliance on AI tools for academic support and its perceived cognitive, affective, and behavioral psychological effects among third-year Psychology students. The study utilized a quantitative descriptive-correlational research design. Data were gathered through a structured survey questionnaire administered to third-year Psychology students. Demographic results showed that 71% of participants were aged 18–21, 27% were 22–25, and 2% were 26–29 years old. In terms of gender, 78% identified as female, 19% as male, and 3% preferred not to disclose their gender. The findings showed that most students sometimes (55%) use AI tools for academic support, with ChatGPT (74.10%) being the most commonly used tool, followed by other AI tools, Gemini, and Grammarly. Overall reliance on AI was moderate, particularly in terms of frequency, purpose, trust, and ethics, while dependency was lower. Psychological effects were also at a moderate level, covering cognitive, affective, and behavioral aspects. A significant relationship was found between AI reliance and both cognitive and affective effects, but not behavioral effects. Overall, higher AI reliance was positively related to perceived psychological effects, with common challenges involving accuracy, bias, and ethical concerns. The study concludes that AI tools positively influence students’ cognitive and emotional academic experiences when used responsibly and in moderation. While challenges were evident, these encouraged critical thinking and reflective learning, highlighting the importance of ethical and guided AI integration in higher education.

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence Tools, Level of Reliance, Cognitive Effects, Affective Effects, Behavioral Effects, Third-Year Psychology Students