Nudge
A nudge is a subtle design choice that guides user behavior without restricting options or forcing decisions. In UX, nudging helps users make beneficial choices by leveraging cognitive biases and environmental cues.
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The Psychology Behind It
The concept of nudging comes from behavioral economics (popularized by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein). It works by subtly steering decisions while maintaining freedom of choice. Nudges tap into default biases, loss aversion, and social influence to encourage desired behaviors.
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Real-World Applications
Default Selections: Pre-selecting eco-friendly shipping options to encourage sustainable choices.
Progress Indicators: Showing how close users are to completing a profile (LinkedIn’s "Profile Strength" meter).
Subtle Framing: Highlighting "Most Popular" or "Best Value" options in pricing tables.
Gentle Reminders: Opt-in popups reminding users of incomplete actions (e.g., abandoned cart notifications).
Visual Example
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Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using deceptive nudges that manipulate rather than guide (e.g., making the "No" button hard to see).
Fix: Ensure nudges are transparent, ethical, and truly beneficial to the user.
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How to Apply It in Your Design
Use smart defaults – Pre-select options that benefit users but allow them to change.
Make progress visible – Show users how close they are to completing a task.
Use subtle visual cues – Highlight recommended choices without forcing them.
Encourage positive behavior – Reinforce beneficial actions with feedback (e.g., “Well done! Just one more step”).
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Key Takeaways
Nudges subtly guide users without limiting choices.
Smart defaults, visual cues, and gentle reminders improve user experience
Ethical nudging enhances engagement without feeling manipulative.
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Common Mistakes
Mistake: Designing experiences that reinforce false assumptions or limit diverse perspectives.
Fix: Provide balanced recommendations, highlight alternative choices, and clarify ambiguous UI messages to avoid misinterpretations.
User Psychology 3
Psychology Behind UX Design
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