How Cognitive Load Affects Dynamic Trust Calibration in Human–AI Collaboration: Evidence for Selective Pathway Effects

Xiaojiao Chen, Yonghan Liu, Yiran Ma, Xinyu Zhang, Yonghao Chen, Zhengyu Wang, Wenxin Zhang, Yu Tian, Zaifeng Gao, Mowei Shen, College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering

Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

Published online on August 14, 2026

Abstract

Human Factors, Ahead of Print.
ObjectiveThis study examined whether cognitive load produces selective effects on different trust updating pathways in AI-assisted decision making.BackgroundAlthough cognitive load affects trust in automation, its influence on the mechanisms of trial-by-...