{"id":21839,"date":"2025-04-03T18:35:13","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T18:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=21839"},"modified":"2025-04-03T18:35:15","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T18:35:15","slug":"an-app-can-change-your-self-image-at-work-new-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/an-app-can-change-your-self-image-at-work-new-study\/","title":{"rendered":"An App Can Change Your Self-Image at Work: New Study"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">A new study from the University of California, Riverside, suggests that a smartphone app can effectively boost workers&#8217; confidence and reshape their self-image, opening new horizons in employee development.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0dfbf163 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px;\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Confidence is often considered essential for success in the workplace. Now, researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have discovered that confidence and self-image can be enhanced through a simple yet innovative smartphone app. The findings, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2451958825000120\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">published<\/a> in the journal Computers in Human Behavior Reports, provide new insights into the pliability of belief systems traditionally thought to be deeply entrenched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe were curious whether a simple intervention could nudge people toward a stronger sense of self at work,\u201d senior author Thomas Sy, a professor of psychology at UC Riverside, said in a news release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The study centered around an app called MindTAPP, which employs associative conditioning \u2014 a psychological principle where users are shown photos of themselves alongside positive words like &#8220;hardworking,&#8221; &#8220;happy&#8221; and &#8220;reliable.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The goal is to help shift how users perceive themselves over time. According to the study, 159 young adults, mostly college students, used the app without knowing its psychological aim. They participated in surveys before and after the experiment to gauge changes in their self-perception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using MindTAPP feels more like scrolling through a photo-sharing app than engaging in formal training. Users upload casual selfies, which the app pairs with a rotating set of positive traits. Each swipe that associates the user&#8217;s photo with words like &#8220;productive&#8221; or &#8220;team player&#8221; gradually reshapes their professional self-image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The change was notable. Participants showed a measurable improvement in their perception of their workplace abilities and a heightened sense of self-efficacy \u2014 the belief that their efforts can influence outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve long known that people internalize cultural stereotypes about what makes a \u2018good worker,\u2019\u201d added co-author Laura Ashlock, a UC Riverside psychology doctoral candidate. \u201cBut people also hold beliefs about themselves, often unconsciously. What we found is that those beliefs can be reshaped.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the principles behind the app are not new, their application in this digital format is novel. The impact on users appears significant, although how long these effects last without continuous reinforcement is still being studied. Sy remains optimistic that regular use could lead to longer-lasting changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis isn\u2019t just a pep talk,\u201d he added. \u201cIt\u2019s a tool that, used over time, could fundamentally shift someone\u2019s workplace identity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sy has filed a patent for MindTAPP and made it freely available, indicating a significant step forward in employee development. Most training programs focus on skills and knowledge, often neglecting the influence of self-belief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cInformation and skills matter, of course,\u201d added Sy. \u201cBut belief systems influence motivation, persistence, even how people interpret their work experience. They\u2019re foundational \u2014 and yet we rarely touch them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The potential applications of MindTAPP extend beyond enhancing workplace productivity. Mindset significantly influences various aspects of professional and personal life, from advocating for oneself to pursuing career advancements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou can be the architect of your own mindset,\u201d Sy added. \u201cWe\u2019ve never shown, until now, that a person could do that using a digital tool.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As digital tools increasingly integrate into professional development, introducing belief-centered training could have far-reaching implications. MindTAPP represents a pioneering approach to empowering individuals to take control of their mindset and, ultimately, their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis isn\u2019t just about delivering a quick jolt to your thoughts,\u201d concluded Sy. \u201cIt\u2019s about helping people believe in who they are \u2014 and who they have the enduring power to become.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:14px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ucr.edu\/articles\/2025\/04\/02\/app-can-change-how-you-see-yourself-work\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">University of California, Riverside<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Confidence is often considered essential for success in the workplace. Now, researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have discovered that confidence and self-image can be enhanced through a simple yet innovative smartphone app. The findings, published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior Reports, provide new insights into the pliability of belief systems traditionally [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,28],"tags":[207],"class_list":["post-21839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tech","category-workplace","tag-uc-riverside"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Confidence is often considered essential for success in the workplace. Now, researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have discovered that confidence and self-image can be enhanced through a simple yet innovative smartphone app. The findings, published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior Reports, provide new insights into the pliability of belief systems traditionally&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21839"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21839\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21868,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21839\/revisions\/21868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}