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Persuasive Design Tactic Investigation Example

What did you view? Provide a brief description of the subject of your investigation. Also, include a screenshot and/or URL to share what you're seeing.

I investigated Instagram. It is a social media app where people can share photos and videos with followers.


 


 

Name and describe a persuasive design and tactic(s) and dark pattern(s) you noticed on this site. Also, describe the ways the creator or designer is using elements or principles of Behavioral Psychology to encourage certain behaviors from users. This includes any elements of nudge theory (number of choices presented, manner in which options are described, or presence of a default), Fogg Behavior Model (motivation, ability, and prompt), conditioning (classical or operant), schedule of rewards, and compulsion loops.

Summonsing with the red dot notification above the app icon on my home screen and at the bottom of the app indicating new activity (someone liked a post of mine). The loading page with the logo is like a slot machine - I never know what I'm going to see, I hope it's something new and interesting. Sometimes it isn't new and sometimes it is, which uses a variable interval schedule of rewards.

 

Describe what this tactic or approach is intended to do whether it is to gain your attention (i.e. view ads, spend time), information (i.e. email, location, habits), money (i.e. make a purchase), or a combination of these or something else. What are the creators of this site hoping it will achieve?

This tactic is intended to get me coming back to this app to see what's new. Then users view more ads (attention) and Instagram can make money from advertisers (money).


 

Persuasive Design Tactic Investigation 1

1. What did you view? Provide a brief description of the subject of your investigation. Also, include a screenshot and/or URL to share what you're seeing.







 

 

2. Name and describe a persuasive design tactic(s) and dark pattern(s) you noticed on this site. Also, describe the ways the creator or designer is using elements or principles of Behavioral Psychology to encourage certain behaviors from users. This includes any elements of nudge theory (number of choices presented, manner in which options are described, or presence of a default), Fogg Behavior Model (motivation, ability, and prompt), conditioning (classical or operant), schedule of rewards, and compulsion loops.



 

 

3. Describe what this tactic is intended to do. What are the creators of this site hoping it will achieve?



 

 

Persuasive Design Tactic Investigation 2

4. What did you view? Provide a brief description of the subject of your investigation. Include a screenshot.



 

 

5. Name and describe a persuasive design tactic(s) and dark pattern(s) you noticed on this site. Also, describe the ways the creator or designer is using elements or principles of Behavioral Psychology to encourage certain behaviors from users. This includes any elements of nudge theory (number of choices presented, manner in which options are described, or presence of a default), Fogg Behavior Model (motivation, ability, and prompt), conditioning (classical or operant), schedule of rewards, and compulsion loops.



 

 

6. Describe what this tactic is intended to do. What are the creators of this site hoping it will achieve?



 


 

Reflecting on Persuasive Design

7. List five apps, platforms, or sites you use often.

 

 


 

8. Describe your understanding of how your most frequented sites or platforms make money?

 


 


 

9. How does having an awareness of how entities use persuasive design tactics and approaches impact how you make decisions online or your behaviors related to tech-use in general?



 

 

10. For you personally, how do the benefits of persuasive design weigh against the ethical concerns of persuasive design? Describe.