From Avoidance to Approach: LLM Agent Effects on Appraisals and Approach Motivation

Key Points

• The study aims to explore how conversational AI agents influence cognitive appraisal prior to judgment in high-anxiety decision-making situations.
• Conducted a 2x2 experimental design based on webtoon scenarios.
• Evaluated different strategies: situational selection vs. attention allocation.
• Assessed communication styles: rational vs. empathetic expressions.
• Measured responses using a 7-point scale.
• Analyzed data using two-way ANOVA.
• Found significant interaction effects on approach motivation between strategy and communication style.
• Rational expressions led to higher approach motivation in situational selection conditions.
• Significant main effects were noted for certainty based on strategies and expressions.
• Control emerged as having directional but non-significant interactions.
• No significant differences were observed for expected effort.

Abstract