"What Might Happen With Generative AI?" Examining the Role of Prefactual Thinking in the Cognitive Mediation Model in the Context of Emerging Technologies.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: "What Might Happen With Generative AI?" Examining the Role of Prefactual Thinking in the Cognitive Mediation Model in the Context of Emerging Technologies.
Authors: Fung, Timothy K. F.1 (AUTHOR) tfung@hkbu.edu.hk, Leung, Ho Man1 (AUTHOR), Zhou, Xiyuan1 (AUTHOR), Zheng, Shenting1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Science Communication. Jun2026, Vol. 48 Issue 3, p367-401. 35p.
Subject Terms: *Generative artificial intelligence, *Decision making, *Emotions, Risk perception, Media consumption, High technology
Geographic Terms: Hong Kong (China)
Abstract: Prefactual thinking, a form of prospective mental simulation, significantly impacts individuals' decision-making. To understand the influence of media consumption on public opinion regarding emerging technologies, this study, in the context of generative artificial intelligence (AI), examined prefactual thinking as a cognitive process of media consumption, extending the cognitive mediation model. Using quota sampling, we conducted an online survey of 1,129 Hong Kong adult residents. The findings revealed that elaborative processing was positively associated with prefactual thinking, which, in turn, influenced emotional responses. Prefactual thinking and emotional responses shaped benefit-risk perceptions, which influenced individuals' generative AI opinion. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Science Communication is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: ehh
DbLabel: Education Research Complete
An: 193712397
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: "What Might Happen With Generative AI?" Examining the Role of Prefactual Thinking in the Cognitive Mediation Model in the Context of Emerging Technologies.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fung%2C+Timothy+K%2E+F%2E%22">Fung, Timothy K. F.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> tfung@hkbu.edu.hk</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Leung%2C+Ho+Man%22">Leung, Ho Man</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zhou%2C+Xiyuan%22">Zhou, Xiyuan</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zheng%2C+Shenting%22">Zheng, Shenting</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Science+Communication%22">Science Communication</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 48 Issue 3, p367-401. 35p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subject Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Generative+artificial+intelligence%22">Generative artificial intelligence</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Decision+making%22">Decision making</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Emotions%22">Emotions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Risk+perception%22">Risk perception</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Media+consumption%22">Media consumption</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22High+technology%22">High technology</searchLink>
– Name: SubjectGeographic
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hong+Kong+%28China%29%22">Hong Kong (China)</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Prefactual thinking, a form of prospective mental simulation, significantly impacts individuals' decision-making. To understand the influence of media consumption on public opinion regarding emerging technologies, this study, in the context of generative artificial intelligence (AI), examined prefactual thinking as a cognitive process of media consumption, extending the cognitive mediation model. Using quota sampling, we conducted an online survey of 1,129 Hong Kong adult residents. The findings revealed that elaborative processing was positively associated with prefactual thinking, which, in turn, influenced emotional responses. Prefactual thinking and emotional responses shaped benefit-risk perceptions, which influenced individuals' generative AI opinion. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Science Communication is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=193712397
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1177/10755470251362368
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 35
        StartPage: 367
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Generative artificial intelligence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Decision making
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Emotions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Risk perception
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Media consumption
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: High technology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Hong Kong (China)
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: "What Might Happen With Generative AI?" Examining the Role of Prefactual Thinking in the Cognitive Mediation Model in the Context of Emerging Technologies.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Fung, Timothy K. F.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Leung, Ho Man
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Zhou, Xiyuan
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Zheng, Shenting
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 06
              Text: Jun2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 10755470
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 48
            – Type: issue
              Value: 3
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Science Communication
              Type: main
ResultId 1