Ever feel like you want to throw your phone across the room? No? Just us? 😳
If you’re like us (constantly fighting distraction), this might explain why. 🧵
People receive an average of 60-80 daily notifications on their phones.
While notifications have become a standard part of our lives, a constant barrage of information is also linked to ⬆️ anxiety, depression, and attention disorders.
Too many notifications make us feel tired, alter our perception of time, and harm our decision-making abilities! Why?
Notifications increase our #CognitiveOverload (the amount of information processed by the working memory).
In a recent study, 188 undergraduates did a survey while getting texts.
Students who got more texts interrupting their task experienced ⬆️ levels of impulsivity, inattention, and stress than those who got fewer texts. The science suggests notifications ruin your concentration.
Can we do better? Enter #Neuroergonomics, a collection of tactics and systems intended to relieve cognitive burden.
Some are behavioral (like spreading chores out through the week); some are designed (like batching notifications).
Batching smartphone notifications is especially helpful.
In a 2019 study, participants in three conditions received their notifications three times a day, hourly, or none at all. One group experienced more benefits than the other two.
The group that received normal notifications felt distracted.
The notification-free subjects experienced more anxiety and #FOMO.
The participants that received three daily 'batches' felt more productive, attentive, in a better mood, and in greater control of their phones.
Many UX researchers believe that more holistic #design is possible. We agree.
Developers should pay attention to how people interact with their devices—and align their products with actual user values and sustainable #engagement.
We think tech designers AND users have agency here. The key is good #BehavioralDesign.
Want to learn more? We analyzed the problem, and proposed a few solutions. 👇
irrationallabs.com/blog/dont-hate…
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