Generative AI and Critical Thinking in Political Science Higher Education: Exploring the Threshold Effect
Abstract
This study examines how the intensity of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) usage relates to students’ critical thinking in political science higher education. Grounded in classical conceptions of critical thinking as a self-regulated process, it explores whether varying levels of AI use are associated with a threshold effect in which AI shifts from a cognitive scaffold to a partial substitute for independent reasoning. Using an exploratory quantitative design, survey data were collected from 179 political science students in Algeria. The findings reveal that higher AI usage intensity is associated with increased perceived learning gains but reduced critical thinking independence. These results suggest that the cognitive impact of generative AI is usage-dependent rather than inherently positive or negative
Fields of Study & Subjects
Education and Critical Thinking Development
Innovative Teaching Methodologies in Social Sciences
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Science and Knowledge Horizons Journal
- Publisher
- Amar Telidji University of Laghouat
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 185–210
- Publication date
- 17 April 2026
- Language
- FR