Persuasive Feedback for Fitness Apps: Effects of Construal Level and Communication Style

Jasmin Niess*, Sarah Diefenbach, Pawel W. Wozniak

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Persuasive technologies to support behaviour change (e.g., fitness trackers) have become increasingly popular among consumers and healthcare providers. However, studies show that such technologies often fail to offer long-term engagement and tangible health benefits. In this regards, the specific design of persuasive messages provided by the device and users' reactions to it may play a critical role. Our research explores the potential of applying theories of construal level and communication style to formulating feedback messages in self-improvement technologies. Two experiments (N = 190, N = 177) examine the influence of these two factors on goal commitment and affect-based evaluation for situations of fitness goal attainment and failure. Overall, construal level and communication style were relevant factors with independent influence. In the positive situation of goal attainment, high construal level and a friendly communication style resulted in significantly more goal commitment and positive affect than low construal level and a dominant communication style. In the negative situation of failure, results were overall less unambiguous and need to be consolidated by further research. Implications for the design of persuasive feedback are discussed.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPersuasive Technology.
Subtitle of host publicationDesigning for Future Change
EditorsSandra Burri Gram-Hansen, Tanja Svarre Jonasen, Cees Midden
Place of PublicationCham
PublisherSpringer
Pages101-112
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-030-45712-9
ISBN (Print)978-3-030-45711-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science
PublisherSpringer, Cham
Volume12064
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Keywords

  • Persuasive feedback
  • Physical activity
  • Self-improvement

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