The impact of digitalization on cognitive processes: a review of causes and consequences

Light and shadows of digital reality. The image of the engineer in the 21st century

Authors

  • Natalia A. Lyz’ Southern Federal University, 105/42, Bolshaya Sadovaya st., Rostov-on-Don, 344006, Russia
  • Elena V. Gladkaya Southern Federal University, 105/42, Bolshaya Sadovaya st., Rostov-on-Don, 344006, Russia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17072/2078-7898/2025-3-396-405

Keywords:

digital environment, cognitive activity, attention, memory, thinking, decision making

Abstract

The abundance of information and stimuli, multitasking, the availability of content and artificial intelligence services as a consequence of digitalization — all this affects human interaction with information and cognitive processes, including attention, memory, thinking, and decision-making. The purpose of the article is to describe the main causes and cognitive effects that lead to reduction in the productivity of human cognitive activity in a digital environment. Based on an analysis of foreign studies, the paper describes the features of a modern person’s cognitive activity: actions in the «urgency mode» and the need to «be in touch»; an increasing tendency to novelty-seeking behavior; quick work with information and «scanning» reading; information overload; constant distractions, switching of attention to other information objects; the use of «external» memory and entrusting of decision-making to artificial intelligence systems. The paper shows interrelationships between the features of human cognitive activity in the modern digital environment and the effects that negatively affect the productivity of cognitive activity: fragmentation of attention and decreased concentration, clip thinking and loss of the ability to analyze deeply, increased impulsivity in decision-making, cognitive overwork, decreased memorization ability and deterioration of working memory, reducing cognitive efforts and increasing «cognitive laziness». The results of the study schematically demonstrate which aspects of work with information generate undesirable cognitive effects and what needs to be paid attention to in order to prevent the problem of declining cognitive abilities and reducing effectiveness of cognitive activity. The materials of the article can be used by psychologists and educators to develop approaches to improving the cognitive productivity of modern humans, as well as by scientists interested in the specifics of cognitive activity in the digital environment.

Author Biographies

Natalia A. Lyz’, Southern Federal University, 105/42, Bolshaya Sadovaya st., Rostov-on-Don, 344006, Russia

Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Psychology and Safety of Existence

Elena V. Gladkaya, Southern Federal University, 105/42, Bolshaya Sadovaya st., Rostov-on-Don, 344006, Russia

Postgraduate Student of the Department of Psychology and Safety of Existence

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Published

2025-11-04

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Issue 3 (2025)

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