The Blurring of Reality in the Age of AI: Development of the AI-Induced Reality Perception Confusion Scale and Its Association with Generative AI Literacy and AI Anxiety

Abstract

This study sought to develop the AI-induced Reality Perception Confusion Scale (AI-RPCS) and investigate the mediating role of AI-induced reality perception confusion in the association between GenAI literacy and AI anxiety. In Study I (N = 355), exploratory factor analysis revealed a single-factor structure, and item response theory indicated that the items displayed high discrimination and suitable difficulty. In Study II (N = 332), confirmatory factor analysis indicated satisfactory model fit indices for the single-factor structure. Significant relationships among the variables supported criterion validity. In Study III (N = 408), structural equation modelling indicated that AI-induced reality perception confusion mediated the association between GenAI literacy and AI anxiety. These results demonstrate the AI-RPCS's initial psychometric validity. Furthermore, this study suggests that GenAI literacy may be associated with lower levels of AI-induced reality perception confusion, which may, in turn, be associated with lower levels of AI anxiety.