The Cognitive–Affective Tradeoff In Human–AI Dialogue

We compare human and AI language in 5,000 AI-supported journaling conversations using LIWC. AI speech is more analytic and cognitively structured, whereas human language is more authentic, self-focused, emotionally expressive, and identity-revealing. We propose a cognitive–affective tradeoff: AI scaffolds cognitive organization while humans provide psychologically meaningful self-disclosure in these interactions.