LLMorphism: When humans come to see themselves as language models
2026/05/06 by Valerio Capraro · 23 voices
#cs.CY
paper · pdf
Abstract
LLMorphism is the biased belief that human cognition works like a large language model. I argue that the rise of conversational LLMs may make this bias increasingly psychologically available. When artificial systems produce human-like language, people may draw a reverse inference: if LLMs can speak like humans, perhaps humans think like LLMs. This inference is biased because similarity at the level of linguistic output does not imply similarity in cognitive architecture. Yet, LLMorphism may spread through two mechanisms: analogical transfer, whereby features of LLMs are projected onto humans, and metaphorical availability, whereby LLM vocabulary becomes a culturally salient vocabulary for describing thought. I distinguish LLMorphism from mechanomorphism, anthropomorphism, computationalism, dehumanization, objectification, and predictive-processing theories of mind. I outline its implications for work, education, responsibility, healthcare, communication, creativity, and human dignity, while also discussing boundary conditions and forms of resistance. I conclude that the public debate may be missing half of the problem: the issue is not only whether we are attributing too much mind to machines, but also whether we are beginning to attribute too little mind to humans.
Citations
Discussions
- LLMorphism: When humans come to see themselves as language models [hn, 82 points, 58 comments]
- arxiv.org/abs/2605.05419 [2026年5月6日提出] LLMorphism: 人間が自分自身を言語モデルと見なすようになること エライ論文が出てるわ [bsky, 10 points, 0 comments]
- I read this paper and think to myself, "a bona fide Hater wrote this." arxiv.org/abs/2605.05419 [bsky, 8 points, 1 comments]
- Researchers recently termed this as LLMorphism: arxiv.org/abs/2605.05419 Here's an article about this kind of synthetic theory of mind: "there are people who somewhat admire or respect the way that ge [bsky, 5 points, 1 comments]
- “LLMorphism is the biased belief that human cognition works like a large language model. […] When artificial systems produce human-like language, people may draw a reverse inference: if LLMs can speak [bsky, 3 points, 0 comments]
- Haven't got time to look at this properly but looks extremely interesting. Article on "LLMorphism" - "the issue is not only whether we are attributing too much mind to machines, but also whether we ar [bsky, 2 points, 0 comments]
- arxiv.org/abs/2605.054... [bsky, 1 points, 0 comments]
- LLMorphism: When humans come to see themselves as language models arxiv.org/abs/2605.05419 [bsky, 1 points, 0 comments]
- Interesting paper about how readily accessible LLMs are changing how we think about ourselves. It also taught me a new word... Mechanomorphism: Conception of something (like the universe or people) as [bsky, 1 points, 1 comments]
- I think therefore I LLM? Interesting paper on the phenomenon and risks of ascribing LLM-like properties to human cognition: https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.05419 [bsky, 1 points, 0 comments]
- When humans come to see themselves as language models - #machinelearning #ai #LLM - https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.05419 [bsky, 1 points, 0 comments]
- LLMorphism: When humans come to see themselves as language models https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.05419 [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
- LLMorphism: When humans come to see themselves as language models https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.05419 (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48082021) [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
- LLMorphism: When humans come to see themselves as language models [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
- LLMorphism: When humans come to see themselves as language models https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.05419 [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
- LLMorphism: When humans come to see themselves as language models https:// arxiv.org/abs/2605.05419 # arxiv [mastodon, 0 points, 0 comments]
- The concept of LLMorphism describes the growing tendency to assume human cognition works like a large language model simply because AI can now produce human-like language. A fascinating paper explorin [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
- LLMorphism: When humans come to see themselves as language models https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.05419 (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48082021) [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
- [2/7] 📰 LLMorphism: Humans increasingly view themselves as language models, sparking new conversations about their role in shaping technology and society. 🔗 https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.05419 #Tech #D [bsky, 0 points, 2 comments]
- 📰 LLMorphism refers to the phenomenon where humans perceive themselves as language models, potentially leading to misunderstandings and misuse of AI capabilities. 🔗 https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.05419 [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
- arxiv.org/abs/2605.05419 people changing their thinking to think the way AI thinks. [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
- arxiv.org/abs/2605.054... [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
- LLMorphism: When humans come to see themselves as language models [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
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