Regulating Ruminative Web-browsing Based on the Counterbalance Modeling Approach

TL;DR

This paper introduces a browser extension that uses cognitive modeling and physiological data to reduce negative ruminative web browsing by balancing emotional states, enhancing user well-being.

Contribution

It presents a novel counterbalance modeling approach combining ACT-R and physiological signals to regulate emotional responses during web browsing.

Findings

Counterbalance model suppresses negative ruminative browsing

Physiological signals modulate cognitive model parameters

Approach offers explainability in emotional regulation

Abstract

Even though the web environment facilitates daily life, emotional problems caused by its incompatibility with human cognition are becoming increasingly serious. To alleviate negative emotions during web use, we developed a browser extension that presents memorized product images to users, in the form of web advertisements. This system utilizes the cognitive architecture Adaptive Control of Thought-Rational (ACT-R) as a model of memory and emotion. A heart rate sensor modulates the ACT-R model parameters: The emotional states of the model are synchronized or counterbalanced with the physiological state of the user. An experiment demonstrates that the counterbalance model suppresses negative ruminative web browsing. The authors claim that this approach is advantageous in terms of explainability.