This document discusses an alternative approach to behavior change interventions called an "aesthetic of friction". It notes that current approaches primarily focus on using incentives to maximize behavior, but this can undermine autonomy. The document outlines several issues with this approach and proposes alternatives focused on making information more situated and actionable, leaving users choice between options, being understanding rather than punitive, and promoting integration of goals through reflection. It advocates for interventions that introduce "pleasurable trouble" to behaviors in a way that reestablishes freedom of choice and supports autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

1. An Aesthetic
of friction
for health behavior
Sebastian Deterding (@dingstweets)
PlaIT Lab, Northeastern University
April 2, 2015
c b

2. pleasurabletroublemakers.com

4. <1>
the situation

5. thousands of applications ...

6. +
…and yet,(mostly) one underlying model
informed
decisions
to maximize
incentives
no matter
what context

7. quantified self: Information!

8. gamification: incentives!
social
virtualmaterial

9. <2>
blind spots,
and lights

10. Please return to
highlighted route.
Issue
#1

11. information needs to be situated

12. information needs to be actionable

13. https://www.amazon.com/oc/dash-button

14. Really, Dave, a second bagel?
After the one you bought at Starbucks 1538 Tremont St. at
2:34pm today? I texted your friends and they do not approve.
Issue
#2

15. the romeo and juliet effect

16. johnmarshall reeve
»When children do precisely what they were told not
to do … or when the targets of propaganda do the
opposite of the source’s intention, each performs a
counter maneuver aimed at reestablishing a
threatened freedom. The term reactance refers to the
psychological and behavioral attempt at reestablishing
(“reacting” against) a threatened or eliminated
freedom.«
understanding motivation (2014: 297)

17. Lopez 2011
the undermining effect

18. Edward Deci,Richard Ryan
»An understanding of human motivation
requires a consideration of innate
psychological needs for competence,
autonomy, and relatedness.«
the what and why of goal pursuits (2000)

19. retain my choice
http://www.pleasurabletroublemakers.com/#/the-fifty-fifty-cake/

20. “just say no” is not an option

21. offer an alternative functioning way of life
http://www.pleasurabletroublemakers.com/#/intervator/

22. 5%
500 steps
8th day without cycling – you really should step it
up! What about a 5 minute ride today? C’mon,
your friends in California did it!
Issue
#3

23. 5%
500 steps
Here’s a message from Celia: Hey Dave, you’re
below your step goal: take a walk in the park!

24. be understanding and flexible
http://healthmonth.com

25. be as smart as a puppy
http://berglondon.com/blog/2010/09/04/b-a-s-a-a-p/

26. »You look
especially lovely
tonight.«
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beigeinside/50122570/
Issue
#4

27. »You look
especially lovely
tonight.«
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beigeinside/50122570/
»Now I feel like
you’re just doing
it for the points.«
Issue
#4

28. extrinsic motivation is unsustained

29. Richard Ryan,Edward Deci
Autonomy
≠
Independence, lots of choice,
absence of constraints
self-regulation & the problem of human autonomy (2006)

30. Edward Deci,Richard Ryan
»To be autonomous means to behave
with a sense of volition, willingness, and
congruence; it means to fully endorse
and concur with the behavior one is
engaged in.«
motivation, personality, and development (2012: 85)

31. Edward Deci & Richard Ryan: The »What« and »Why« of Gaol Pursuits (2002)
150 more pages,
and I get my 10$.
external
I must not disappoint
my parents!
introjected
I‘m good at this – this is
actually fun!
intrinsic
It‘s important for me in
school to read this now.
identified
I totally see how this
helps me become a chef!
integrated
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pensiero/95412049Edward Deci & Richard Ryan (2002), The »What« and »Why« of Goal Pursuits

32. http://designinghappiness.wordpress.com/
integration through reflection

33. <3>
in summary

34. an aesthetic of friction
1. Situatedness Intervene where the action/
decision takes place
2. Actionable Offer an alternative goal-
supporting action
3. Autonomy Leave the user the choice between
old and new action
4. Irony Why so serious? Allow reversal
5. Sympathy Be understanding
6. Naïveté Be cute, not (too) smart
7. Integration Invite conscious deliberation

35. pleasurable troublemakers
http://www.pleasurabletroublemakers.com/keymoment/

36. sebastian@codingconduct.cc
@dingstweets
codingconduct.cc
Thank You.