Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society

This study explores the psychological impact of AI-generated and user-manipulated images on body image perception, particularly in the context of social media platforms. Focusing on young adults, the research examines their ability to identify A.I.-enhanced, user-enhanced, and unaltered images. Results indicate that participants can readily detect AI-enhanced images due to exaggerated features but struggle to identify subtle alterations from traditional photo-editing apps. Interestingly, participants showed a preference for minimally edited or unaltered images, despite faster detection of AI- enhanced images. Qualitative data suggest a divide in participants' attitudes toward AI manipulation: some expressed concern about its effects on body image and self-esteem, while others expressed indifference. These findings highlight the increasing difficulty in distinguishing authentic content from digital manipulation and raise important questions about rapidly evolving definitions of beauty and authenticity. Overall, findings underscore the need for media literacy interventions to address these challenges.