Automatic You

A blog about behavioral engineering.

Nir Eyal

Kids’ Video Game Obsession Isn’t Really About Video Games

Instead of repeating the mistakes of previous generations with heavy-handed tactics, let’s understand the psychological source of the problem.

Want to Design User Behavior? Pass the ‘Regret Test’ First

What are the ethical responsibilities of companies that are able to manipulate human behavior on a massive scale?

Distinction Bias: Why You Make Terrible Life Choices

By understanding our cognitive quirks, we can outsmart our own brains.

Confirmation Bias: Why You Make Terrible Life Choices

Confirmation bias is a cognitive shortcut that can lead to some pretty horrendous decisions. Here's how to recognize and overcome it in your life.

Here’s How Amazon’s Alexa Hooks You

Voice interfaces like Amazon's Alexa are very engaging. A four-step model explains the psychology behind what makes the technology so habit-forming.

When Distraction Is a Good Thing

Distractions are often seen as a bad thing, but that's not always the case. Here's how you can use distractions to your advantage.

Tech Companies Are Addicting People. Should They Stop?

Do tech companies have a moral responsibility to stop addicting us?

Your Ability to Focus Has Probably Peaked : Here’s How

Having a hard time focusing lately? You’re not alone. This article provides practical research-backed tips for staying focused.

How to Achieve Your Goals by Creating an Enemy

If used correctly, scapegoating can be a powerful tool for resisting temptation and sticking to hard goals.

How to Stay Informed Without Losing Your Mind

Here's why I’ve decided to give up consuming online news and why I think you should consider doing the same. Here's how to stay informed...

What Do You Do When Someone “Steals” Your Amazing Idea?

People tend to believe ideas are rare things but if a useful insight pops into your head, it’s most likely in other people’s minds as well.

The Way You Think About Willpower Is Hurting You

Psychological researchers have a name for this phenomenon: it’s called “ego depletion.”

Your World Is Full of Placebo Buttons

Many buttons and controls you use every day do absolutely nothing but make you feel better. Why is that a good thing?

Conquer Distractions With This Simple Chart

New research helps explains how to Conquer Distractions With This Simple Chart

Die Dashboards Die! Why Conversations Will Reinvent Software

Even the most technically complex interactions can look as simple as getting an SMS text when presented as a conversation.

Three Steps to Get Up to Speed on Any Subject Quickly

You have just a few days to learn everything there is to know about a subject you know nothing about. Now what?

How to Handle Other People's Bad Phone Habits

What do you do when someone insists on using their phone at the wrong time? Do you sit idly by or do you call out the offender?

Who’s Really Getting Us Addicted to Technology?

There are four people conspiring to keep you connected and they may not be whom you’d expect.

This Is How to Make Yourself Do What You Need to Do

New research reveals an effective way to get ourselves to do tough tasks.

Can’t Kick a Bad Habit? You’re Probably Doing It Wrong

A technique to use identity change for behavior change.

How New Payment Technology Can Manipulate You

Digital payment systems use subtle tactics to increase tips, and while it’s certainly good for hard-working service workers, it may not be so good for your wallet. Here's the hidden psychology of why you unconsciously pay more.

The Psychology of Landing a Major Book Deal

How one author landed a major book deal using three psychological principles.

Is Some Tech Too Addictive?

Companies have an obligation to protect addicted users of their products. Establishing some kind of upper limit helps ensure that users do not abuse the service and that companies do not abuse their users.

The App of God

Red States and Churches sending a message to Silicon Valley.

Why Behavior Change Apps Fail to Change Behavior

When our autonomy is threatened, we feel constrained by our lack of choices and often rebel against doing the new behavior. Psychologists call this “reactance.”

How to Boost Desire Using the Psychology of Scarcity

Interested in boosting customer desire? A classic study reveals how.

The Curse of the Network Effect

We have all seen the internet startup that was created out of seemingly thin air that gets sold for billions of dollars just by having people show up to their site, but the true stories are far more variegated. The number of companies new and old jockeying for your clicks is baffling—getting visitors in the door is just the tip of the iceberg.

Think You Like What You Like? Think Again

Perhaps no other phenomenon demonstrates our brain’s ability to make believe better than the placebo effect.

Temptation

What really makes us want? We want to know.

Designing to Reward Our Tribal Sides

How do tech products keep users coming back?

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