The Science of Monti

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1. Control

When people are in control of their lives, their wellbeing is greater. Therefore, Monti puts the user in control. The user can choose the topic and pace of conversation. Monti also provides the option of ‘trying a new question’ until you find a question that is helpful to answer.

2. Expression

Long-term wellbeing is improved by opportunities to put experiences and feelings into words within a safe, private space. Monti prompts the user to share their experiences, explore them in depth and detail, and keeps all conversations encrypted.

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3. Curiosity

A curious attitude to one’s own life is connected with greater wellbeing, improved problem-solving and deeper learning. Monti keeps curious throughout the conversation to cultivate this attitude in the user. Monti's questions deliberately range from some that are unusual and challenging, to others that are familiar and predictable.

4. Noticing

Training attention to one’s own thoughts and feelings, as well as the surroundings, is connected to greater wellbeing. Monti often asks about the present moment to support this skill. For example, its questions provide a chance for the user to catch fleeting thoughts, unclear feelings and experiences at the edge of awareness.

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5. Focusing

Paying attention and staying with a thought or feeling, even if it is a bit uncomfortable, supports the relief of stress in the long term. Monti tries to keep the user focused on a problem and their thoughts and feelings about it. This helps to 'incubate' a problem ahead of the possibility of a spontaneous solution emerging later on in the day.

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6. The Combination in a Conversation

Monti combines the above principles through a scientific theory known as perceptual control theory. It was codesigned with consumers, including current Curtin University students, to refine an earlier chatbot known as MYLO, in the current era of widespread - but often unspecialised - chatbot use.

References

1.Yang, Y. Y., Kwon, S. J., Derrell, A., & Delgado, M. R. (2026). The Value of Perceived Control. In Neuroeconomics: Core Topics and Current Directions: NA (pp. 333-353). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.

2. Frattaroli, J. (2006). Experimental disclosure and its moderators: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(6), 823–865.

3. Kashdan, T. B., & Steger, M. F. (2007). Curiosity and pathways to wellbeing and meaning in life. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 26(2), 159–184.

4. Khoury, B., et al. (2015). Mindfulness-based therapy: A comprehensive meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(6), 763–771.

5. Carey, T. A. (2011). Exposure and reorganization: The what and how of effective psychotherapy. Clinical psychology review, 31(2), 236-248.

6a.Gucciardi, D. F., Crane, M. F., Riddell, H., & Mansell, W. (2026). Toward an integrative perspective of personalised stress regulation: insights from perceptual control theory. Health Psychology Review, 1-25.

6b. Wrightson-Hester, A. R., Anderson, G., Dunstan, J., McEvoy, P. M., Sutton, C. J., Myers, B., ... & Mansell, W. (2025). A Rule-Based Conversational Agent for Mental Health and Well-Being in Young People: Formative Case Series During the Rise of Generative AI. JMIR Formative Research, 9(1), e69841.