Exploring the Design of Nudging in Persuasive Technologies - Improving Sleep Hygiene

Abstract: Research on persuasive technologies for promoting healthy behaviours has been surging in recent years, but these technologies have the risk of being perceived as undesirable meddling. The current study puts forward a non-coercive and libertarian paternalistic alternative - the nudge theory. The foundation of the nudge theory is informed by the dual processing theory and can be categorized in two types - Type 1 nudging and Type 2 nudging. As design tools, two Type 1 nudging methods: default setting and manipulation of accessibility; and four Type 2 nudging methods: reminders, prompts, framing and precommitment strategies were selected to be featured. Sleep was chosen as the use case for this study, for it is associated with a number of non-communicable diseases yet considerably few studies of persuasive technology are about sleep. Better sleep hygiene is a significant means to improve sleep, therefore used as the design goal. The current study explores possible solutions for persuasive technologies for improving sleep hygiene, and better understand the design potentials and the persuasive characteristics of different types and methods of nudging. The research methodology is informed by scenario-based design. Five (four male and one female) academic professionals with backgrounds in interaction design, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence and robotics took part in the study. Seven scenarios and thirteen prototypes were created to illustrate the situations and present the possible solutions. Results also showed that Type 1 nudging is considered more convenient and effective. However, the sense of control is better preserved in Type 2 nudging. In regard to nudging methods, default setting is considered as the most eective method under the condition of goal-alignment, but prone to error. Manipulation of accessibility should be designed so that the navigation is intuitive and the integrity of availability should not be damaged. Timing is the most prominent factor for reminders, and the influence of reminders could be reinforced by prioritizing and cross-platform availability. The presence of prompts could be emphasized by purposeful placement, and appropriateness should be considered. The perception of framing is highly subjective, therefore it should be user-tailored and context-aware. The effects of precommitment strategies are able to access higher-level motivation, but should be reinforced with other methods. To summarize the design principles, when designing nudges in persuasive technologies, the following factors should be considered: goal alignment, intuitiveness, context awareness, availability and accessing motivation.