A new study from the University of California, Riverside, suggests that a smartphone app can effectively boost workers’ confidence and reshape their self-image, opening new horizons in employee development.
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 thought to be deeply entrenched.
“We were curious whether a simple intervention could nudge people toward a stronger sense of self at work,” senior author Thomas Sy, a professor of psychology at UC Riverside, said in a news release.
The study centered around an app called MindTAPP, which employs associative conditioning — a psychological principle where users are shown photos of themselves alongside positive words like “hardworking,” “happy” and “reliable.”
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.
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’s photo with words like “productive” or “team player” gradually reshapes their professional self-image.
The change was notable. Participants showed a measurable improvement in their perception of their workplace abilities and a heightened sense of self-efficacy — the belief that their efforts can influence outcomes.
“We’ve long known that people internalize cultural stereotypes about what makes a ‘good worker,’” added co-author Laura Ashlock, a UC Riverside psychology doctoral candidate. “But people also hold beliefs about themselves, often unconsciously. What we found is that those beliefs can be reshaped.”
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.
“This isn’t just a pep talk,” he added. “It’s a tool that, used over time, could fundamentally shift someone’s workplace identity.”
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.
“Information and skills matter, of course,” added Sy. “But belief systems influence motivation, persistence, even how people interpret their work experience. They’re foundational — and yet we rarely touch them.”
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.
“You can be the architect of your own mindset,” Sy added. “We’ve never shown, until now, that a person could do that using a digital tool.”
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.
“This isn’t just about delivering a quick jolt to your thoughts,” concluded Sy. “It’s about helping people believe in who they are — and who they have the enduring power to become.”