University of Twente Student Theses
Judgmental Elevation: Designing a Sarcastic Smart System to Nudge Users Towards a Healthier Tomorrow
Janus, Ewoud (2025) Judgmental Elevation: Designing a Sarcastic Smart System to Nudge Users Towards a Healthier Tomorrow.
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| Abstract: | Encouraging healthier lifestyle choices through interactive technology has become an increasingly relevant topic in human-computer interaction research. This study explores the effectiveness of an interaction installation designed to nudge individuals at the University of Twente towards choosing the stairs over the elevator. The main research question investigates whether a judgmental system, which applies subtle social pressure, is more effective than a friendlier system in influencing user behavior. To evaluate this question, a prototype was developed and tested in a real-world setting at the University of Twente. The installation features two modes: a judgmental tone designed to create a form of social accountability and a friendlier tone that would encourage the user through positive reinforcement. A within-subject experimental design was used, where 25 participants interacted with both modes. The choices between the stairs and the elevator combined with the user perception of the system recorded in an online questionnaire. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a subset of participants to further gain insights into user experiences. The results showed that the installation successfully increased stair usage, with an average of 48% before interaction to 56% after interacting with the installation. However, the tone did not create a significant behavioral difference, indicating that the interactive aspect of the installation was the primary influence on behavior. The study highlights the importance of interactive installation in nudging behavior, especially in environments with younger demographics, such as universities. These findings suggest that future research should focus on refining interactive installations by improving clarity, and more dynamic interactions. The research contributes to the field of persuasive technology by demonstrating the potential of interactive installation in influencing health-related choices like taking the stairs or elevator. The study provides valuable insights into user behavior, engagement, design, and impact on behavior, offering information to further explore interactive nudging techniques. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | EEMCS: Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science |
| Subject: | 54 computer science |
| Programme: | Creative Technology BSc (50447) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/105298 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
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