Reality erosion in digital environments: the concept of digital blur and scale development

Abstract

Introduction People are exposed to thousands of videos and images for hours every day. However, the literature provides only limited insight into the impact of AI-generated images and videos on daily life. Driven by advancing technology, these materials influence the human mind and create psychological stress. The source of these psychological tensions lies in situations where the distinction between the real and the artificial is no longer perceived, the sense of reality is lost, and individuals find themselves moving toward a state of uncertainty. This study proposes the concept of “digital blur” in order to conceptualize the reality uncertainty that has emerged with the development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence-supported content production systems, and that has not been adequately explained in the existing literature. The high level of resemblance of digitally produced content to reality makes it difficult for individuals to reliably evaluate not only the accuracy of information but also its reality status, and creates a new area of uncertainty at the epistemic level. This study aims to address this uncertainty not only in the context of misinformation or disinformation, but also through the systematic weakening of the distinction between the real and the artificial, and to fill an important conceptual gap in the literature. Methods In the study, scale development procedures were applied to the data collected from two different samples by following the 10 steps suggested by Carpenter. In this context, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted with SPSS and AMOS programs. Results A 14-question scale was developed as a result of factor analyses, discriminant validity, reliability, divergent, convergent, and construct validity. The scale has a two-dimensional structure consisting of Reality Blur and Knowledge and Ethics Blur subscales. Discussions In this framework, the study developed an original conceptual framework that explains the transformation of reality perception in the digital age on the basis of Social Information Processing Theory, presented a psychometrically valid and reliable measurement tool to measure this concept, and put forward a new analytical perspective to understand individual and institutional processes regarding the evaluation of digital content.