As social media becomes integral to students’ academic and social lives, cognitive dissonance—the psychological discomfort from conflicting ideas—poses significant challenges, particularly for engineering students who thrive on structured problem-solving. This mixed-methods study analyzes the experiences of N = 143 engineering students, revealing that 72% encountered heightened stress due to contradictory online con- tent, with 64% reporting shifts in attitudes under conformity pressures. Qualitative thematic coding identified triggers such as social comparison, uncertainty, and coping challenges, while highlighting the potential for harmony and resilience through effective strategies. To address these challenges, the study proposes AI-driven interventions replicating psychological strategies such as cognitive reframing, emotional regulation, and perspective-taking. Suggested solutions include real-time sentiment analysis, discrepancy detection with reconciliation suggestions, empathy- based counterarguments, and adaptive learning algorithms for cognitive resilience. These tools aim to reduce cognitive dissonance, foster emotional well-being, and enhance critical thinking, offering actionable in- sights to empower students in navigating social media’s complexities.

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AI-Powered Strategies to Mitigate Cognitive Dissonance: Enhancing Emotional Well-Being and Critical Thinking on Social Media

  • Saniya Atalatti,
  • Kshipra V. Moghe

摘要

As social media becomes integral to students’ academic and social lives, cognitive dissonance—the psychological discomfort from conflicting ideas—poses significant challenges, particularly for engineering students who thrive on structured problem-solving. This mixed-methods study analyzes the experiences of N = 143 engineering students, revealing that 72% encountered heightened stress due to contradictory online con- tent, with 64% reporting shifts in attitudes under conformity pressures. Qualitative thematic coding identified triggers such as social comparison, uncertainty, and coping challenges, while highlighting the potential for harmony and resilience through effective strategies. To address these challenges, the study proposes AI-driven interventions replicating psychological strategies such as cognitive reframing, emotional regulation, and perspective-taking. Suggested solutions include real-time sentiment analysis, discrepancy detection with reconciliation suggestions, empathy- based counterarguments, and adaptive learning algorithms for cognitive resilience. These tools aim to reduce cognitive dissonance, foster emotional well-being, and enhance critical thinking, offering actionable in- sights to empower students in navigating social media’s complexities.