Social cognition can predict behavioral and psychological effects of digital interventions

Abstract

Personality traits have been widely studied as moderators of digital interventions, yet the role of social-cognitive processes remains underexplored. This study investigates how key social-cognitive factors—self-enhancement, social projection, and cognitive reflection or motivation—moderate the effectiveness of two prominent digital interventions: reducing digital consumption (via the app one sec) and enhancing productivity (via the app Structured). We hypothesize that understanding users' social-cognitive profiles can illuminate mechanisms driving intervention outcomes and guide the development of more personalized digital solutions. Across two large-scale experiments (N = 1,809; N = 1,932), we examined (1) the moderating effect of self-enhancement on behavioral change, (2) the influence of social projection on subjective intervention experiences, and (3) the impact of cognitive reflection or motivation on dropout likelihood. Our findings highlight the critical role of social cognition in tailoring and optimizing digital interventions, providing actionable insights for researchers and practitioners aiming to improve their efficacy.

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