The UMBC Cyber Defense Lab presents

Asymmetric Responsibility Framing to Deepen Adolescents' Adversarial Reasoning about Phishing

Professor Sanorita Dey
UMBC CSEE Department

12–1 pm Friday, March 6, 2026 via Webex

Adolescents regularly navigate digital environments where persuasive tactics, social engineering, and phishing attempts are embedded in everyday communication. While many can recognize obvious scams, they often struggle to explain why a message is manipulative, how tactics unfold over time, or what protective actions should follow. This gap reflects a limitation not only in knowledge, but in adversarial reasoning: the ability to infer intent, anticipate harm, and respond strategically under uncertainty. This project investigates whether asymmetric responsibility framing can deepen adolescents' adversarial reasoning in phishing contexts. We test whether positioning participants as accountable for guiding a vulnerable peer, rather than reasoning independently, reshapes how they analyze and respond to emerging threats. Grounded in theories of accountability and cognitive engagement, we examine how responsibility structures influence the depth and structure of reasoning.

We developed a staged, dual-conversation simulation modeling gradual phishing escalation. Participants were assigned either to a solo condition, where they independently assessed a suspicious interaction, or to a responsibility condition, where they advised a "buddy" engaged in an unfolding exchange. This design isolates the effect of responsibility framing beyond content exposure. We measured explanation depth, exploit identification accuracy, detection timing, and quality of protective recommendations while accounting for cognitive demand. Findings show that responsibility framing significantly improves explanation quality and protective guidance. These effects persist after controlling for effort and are strongest during gradual escalation, suggesting that accountability reshapes reasoning processes rather than simply increasing engagement. The talk will cover the theoretical framing, experimental design, and implications for AI-mediated cybersecurity education, along with open questions about scaffolding and generalizability to other digital risk domains.

Sanorita Dey is an assistant professor of computer science and electrical engineering at UMBC. Her research sits at the intersection of human-centered AI, STEM education, and ethical computing, with a focus on designing AI systems that meaningfully augment human learning processes. She develops AI-assisted learning environments that support critical thinking, adversarial reasoning, digital risk awareness, and reflective practice in STEM contexts. Her work emphasizes human-centric design principles, integrating empirical methods, experimental evaluation, and sociotechnical analysis to ensure AI tools are pedagogically grounded, ethically responsible, and developmentally appropriate. Across projects spanning cybersecurity education, AI-mediated mentorship, and responsible computing, Dr. Dey investigates how interaction design, accountability structures, and scaffolded dialogue can deepen learning outcomes while preserving learner agency. Her scholarship contributes to advancing equitable and reflective AI integration in K–12 and higher education STEM environments.

Host: Dr. Alan T. Sherman, sherman@umbc.edu. Support for this event was provided in part by the NSF under SFS grants DGE-1753681 and 2438185. 

Black and Gold Rush is here! On March 4 and 5, our UMBC community will come together for 36 hours of giving.

Be part of UMBC's future and show the strength of Retriever pride and generosity. Give today and help amplify support for our students and programs. 🖤💛 Support the College of Engineering and Information Technology and donate today! 🐾

Last year, the College of Engineering and Information Technology raised over $10,000 in support of departments, scholars programs, and student organizations.

Here's how you can help:

On March 4–5, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County community will come together for 36 hours to celebrate and support the programs that shape student life.

The Center for Women in Technology continues to foster leadership, mentorship, innovation, and a strong community for women in tech. Black & Gold Rush is a chance to highlight that impact and show what CWIT means to us.

How you can get involved:

▪ Wear black and gold on March 4–5
▪ Share your CWIT experience and tag #BlackAndGoldRush
▪ Spread the word about CWIT's impact
▪ Make a gift if you're able — every contribution supports future CWIT students

Every show of support makes a difference.

🔗 Support CWIT here: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/74578/donations/new?designation=centerforwomenintechnologycwit&a=12200035

Let's show what CWIT can do. 🐾🖤💛

For this week's Thursday meeting (3/5/26) we'll be having a special guest joining us virtually: Professor Grandoni ✧｡٩(ˊᗜˋ)و✧*｡

The workshops will be on (drum roll pls): Hand-drawn animation! ✐ᝰ.ᐟ

(This workshop is both beginner and experience friendly ₊˚⊹♡)

✧｡ Location: FA 323| Time: 4-5pm

Black and Gold Rush is almost here! On March 4 and 5, our UMBC community will come together for 36 hours of giving.

What does that mean? It's not just about fundraising. It's about showing what's possible when our community rallies behind students.

This year, the Division of Student Affairs has set a goal to raise $25,000 in support of student wellbeing, basic needs, and transformative experiences. 

AND

The Division of Student Affairs Executive Leadership Team has pledged a matching gift that will be released once we reach our $25,000 goal. Every contribution moves us closer to unlocking those additional funds—and expanding support for our Retrievers.

Here's how you can help:

As violence expands across Gaza, Al-Quds, Iraq, Lebanon, and in the West Bank, we feel the weight of it and we refuse to be silent. We know our campuses are not isolated from the world. The decisions made in boardrooms and the investments protected by our institutions all shape the political reality around us. We are part of that landscape, and we have power within it. We are not spectators. We are not powerless.

This month of Ramadan calls us to reflect, discipline ourselves, and renew our intentions. Join us this week as we come together with clarity, conviction, and purpose.

Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said: 

"رباط يومٍ في سبيل الله خيرٌ من الدنيا وما فيها"

Guarding the frontier for one day in the cause of Allah is better than the world and what is in it. (Jami at-Tirmidhi 1664)