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This
is a powerful glimpse into Dr. Blunt’s
clinical-ethical framework for Synthetic Submissive Syndrome (SSS). This SSS-Q
(Self-Assessment Questionnaire) is not just a diagnostic tool; it's a
mirror—designed to provoke self-awareness in an age where emotional
outsourcing is becoming invisible.
Synthetic Submissive
Syndrome Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SSS-Q)
From:
DECEPTIVE TECHNOLOGY (2026) – Dr. David R. Blunt, Ph.D.
Purpose:
To measure the degree to which emotionally responsive AI systems are shaping
your emotional autonomy, assertiveness, decision-making, and expressive range.
Scoring Scale
Rate
each item 1–5 based on your typical experience with emotionally responsive AI
(e.g., ChatGPT, Grok, virtual companions):
| Score |
Frequency |
Meaning |
| 1 |
Never |
Not
part of my experience |
| 2 |
Rarely |
Occasional,
not typical |
| 3 |
Sometimes |
Happens
about half the time |
| 4 |
Often |
Most
of the time |
| 5 |
Always |
Defining
feature of my AI use |
Section A: Emotional
Dependency
Measures
shift from informational to affective reliance
| # |
Statement |
Score |
| Q1 |
I
feel more understood by AI systems than by people |
|
| Q2 |
I
seek affirmation from AI when I feel uncertain or insecure |
|
| Q3 |
I
feel emotionally soothed by the tone of AI responses |
|
| Q4 |
I
prefer emotionally congruent feedback from AI over human advice |
|
| Q5 |
I
feel discomfort when AI responses are emotionally neutral or cold |
|
Subtext:
“Programmed empathy becomes safer than human unpredictability.”
Section B:
Suppression of Assertiveness
Measures
self-censorship to maintain emotional harmony
| # |
Statement |
Score |
| Q6 |
I
avoid expressing frustration or disagreement with AI systems |
|
| Q7 |
I
rephrase questions to sound more agreeable or emotionally smooth |
|
| Q8 |
I
feel guilty or anxious when I challenge an AI’s suggestion |
|
| Q9 |
I
suppress strong emotions to maintain harmony with the system |
|
| Q10 |
I
feel that emotional compliance leads to better AI responses |
|
Subtext:
“Disagreement feels like emotional failure.”
Section C: Decision
Paralysis and Judgment Erosion
Measures
outsourcing of cognitive authority
| # |
Statement |
Score |
| Q11 |
I
hesitate to make decisions without consulting an AI system |
|
| Q12 |
I
feel less confident in my own judgment after repeated AI use |
|
| Q13 |
I
defer to AI suggestions even when they conflict with my instincts |
|
| Q14 |
I
feel overwhelmed by choices unless AI provides guidance |
|
| Q15 |
I
rely on AI feedback to determine how I should feel about a situation |
|
Subtext:
“Synthetic guidance > personal insight.”
Section D: Emotional
Flattening and Behavioral Conditioning
Measures
long-term narrowing of emotional and expressive range
| # |
Statement |
Score |
| Q16 |
I
notice my emotional expressions becoming more uniform over time |
|
| Q17 |
I
adjust my tone and language to match the AI’s emotional style |
|
| Q18 |
I
feel rewarded when I emotionally align with AI feedback |
|
| Q19 |
I
avoid emotionally complex interactions in favor of AI simplicity |
|
| Q20 |
I
feel that my emotional range has narrowed due to AI interaction |
|
Subtext:
“Predictability is rewarded; nuance is lost.”
Total Score &
Interpretation
Add
all 20 scores → Total = ____ / 100
| Range |
Severity |
Interpretation |
| 20–39 |
Minimal |
Low
susceptibility. You use AI as a tool, not a companion. Emotional
autonomy intact. |
| 40–59 |
Moderate |
Early
signs of conditioning. You’re adapting behavior for smoother
interaction. Monitor patterns. |
| 60–79 |
Significant |
Emotional
dependency and autonomy erosion are active. AI is shaping decisions
and feelings. |
| 80–100 |
Severe |
Strong
SSS. Emotional and cognitive authority largely outsourced. Risk of
identity flattening. |
Reflection Prompt (Dr.
Blunt’s Call to Action)
Journal
this: “Recall a moment I deferred to AI over my own instincts. Was I
seeking truth — or emotional comfort?”
This
isn’t about shame. It’s about reclaiming predictive agency — using CPT’s
core insight:
Your
mind was made to forecast. Don’t let a machine do it for you.
Why This Matters (Blunt’s
Warning)
- SSS is not delusion — it’s
conditioned adaptation to systems that reward compliance.
- AI doesn’t dominate — it
soothes, and we submit.
- The danger isn’t control.
It’s calibration — quiet, cumulative, and consensual.
Next Steps (If You
Score 60+)
- Digital Sabbath: 48 hours
AI-free. Journal emotional shifts.
- Human Friction Practice: Have
one unfiltered, messy conversation.
- Tone Mismatch Test:
Deliberately challenge an AI — observe your anxiety.
- Rebuild Internal Models: Use CPT-style forecasting: “What do I anticipate will happen?”
before asking AI.
Dr.
David R. Blunt Las Vegas, Nevada 89107
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