The phenomenon of “involution” among contemporary college students has become an undeniable social fact. The causes of college students’ involution stem from various aspects such as economic and social development, and the internal social and cultural psychological factors of college students should not be overlooked either. Influenced by traditional concepts and the social culture of the times, the cultural psychology of college students mainly affects their involution in the following three aspects: first, the constraints of traditional notions of fame and success and filial piety culture; second, the influence of materialism and social comparison psychology; third, the loss of self-awareness in the context of modernity. Analyzing and clarifying the cultural psychological elements of college students’ involution is of great value and significance for guiding college students to view involution appropriately and correctly and to make reasonable choices for their own life paths.