Shopping in the Dark: Effects of Platform Choice on Dark Pattern Recognition

Christof van Nimwegen, Jesse de Wit

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

Abstract

Dark patterns are user interfaces designed to trick users into doing things they might not otherwise do. Human psychological insights are carefully exploited by designers to craft these patterns. This study investigates the relation between dark pattern recognition and platform choice. An experiment was designed in which 54 participants performed a shopping task. In the website different dark pattern types were implemented, such as “Sneak into Basket”, “Toying with emotions” and “Trick Questions”. Results showed that mobile users are twice as likely to fall for one of the patterns. In addition, a significant correlation was found between falling for that same dark pattern and the age of users. The older the user, the more chance of falling for that pattern. Lastly it showed that the higher the website’s “honesty” is rated, the higher the “navigability” is rated.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication24th HCI International Conference, HCII 2022
Subtitle of host publicationUser Experience and Behavior
EditorsMasaaki Kurosu
PublisherSpringer Nature
Pages462-475
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-031-05411-2
ISBN (Print)978-3-031-05412-9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Jun 2022
EventHuman Computer International Conference (HCII) -
Duration: 21 Jan 2013 → …

Publication series

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

Other

OtherHuman Computer International Conference (HCII)
Period21/01/13 → …

Keywords

  • Dark patterns
  • Design ethics
  • Deceptive interfaces
  • Mobile devices
  • Online trust

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