Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence, Naturalistic Decision-Making and Cognitive Flexibility: A Systematic Literature Review and an Integrated Mediation Model
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: This study systematically reviews the literature on the relationships between individuals' perceptions of artificial intelligence, naturalistic decision-making and cognitive flexibility, and synthesizes the evidence into an integrated model in which cognitive flexibility mediates the effect of artificial intelligence perceptions on naturalistic decision-making. Following the PRISMA 2020 statement, three Boolean searches corresponding to the pairwise relationships were run in OpenAlex on 20 October 2026 and complemented by backward and forward citation tracking. Of 1,161 records identified, 1,140 were screened, 99 were assessed in full and 70 met the eligibility criteria; together with 32 studies reached through citation tracking, 102 studies were coded and synthesized thematically. The synthesis shows that the three constructs have been studied in largely separate streams: research on artificial intelligence and decision-making concentrates on advice-taking, reliance and decision-making styles; research on artificial intelligence and cognitive flexibility is very recent, concentrated in educational and health settings and consistent in sign; and research on cognitive flexibility and decision-making draws on laboratory, neurophysiological and survey evidence. Cognitive flexibility is a replicated mediator in adjacent domains, but no study has tested the full chain from artificial intelligence perceptions through cognitive flexibility to naturalistic decision-making. Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model, Cognitive Load Theory, Cognitive Flexibility Theory and the recognition-primed decision model, the study formulates four testable propositions, presents an integrated model, identifies measurement options and outlines a research agenda.
Author: Başboğa, Mustafa İsmet
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7224203724