Designing to Support Autonomy and Reduce Psychological Reactance in Digital Self-Control Tools

Kai Lukoff, Urlik Lyngs, Lize Alberts
March, 2022
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Abstract

To help users reduce distractions, many digital self-control tools (DSCTs) use strong enforcement mechanisms (e.g., locking the user out of undesired apps during work hours). However, these tools often trigger psychological reactance - the desire to restore the restricted autonomy by circumventing or contradicting the tool. We propose ways that designers can leverage self-determination theory, an evidence-based theory of human motivation and wellbeing, to support users in internalizing the motivation behind their goals and reduce reactance.

Type
Preprint
Publication
Paper presented at the ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems Workshop: Self-Determination Theory in HCI: Shaping a Research Agenda. New Orleans, LA, USA. 29 April-5 May, 2022
Autonomy Psychological Reactance Nudges Self-Determination Theory Commitment Devices Digital Self-Control Digital Distraction Digital Wellbeing Micro-Frictions
Lize Alberts
Lize Alberts
Doctoral Candidate, Research Fellow

DPhil candidate in Computer Science at the University of Oxford and Research Fellow at Stellenbosch University’s Unit for the Ethics of Technology.