Self-Perception Theory: An S-Tier Behavioral Designer’s Guide
In 1967, Daryl Bem walked into the cognitive dissonance literature and proposed that the entire towering edifice that…
Work with Yu-kai
The Blog
Ideas on motivation, behavior & design.
Deep dives on the psychology behind why people do what they do — from Yu-kai Chou, creator of the Octalysis Framework. Pick the topic that matters to you.
Overjustification Effect: An S-Tier Behavioral Designer’s Guide
Short answer: The Overjustification Effect is the drop in how much people freely do an activity they already…
Reactance Theory: An S-Tier Behavioral Designer’s Guide
Short answer: Reactance Theory, developed by Jack Brehm in 1966, says that when people feel a freedom is…
Self-Affirmation Theory: An S-Tier Behavioral Designer’s Guide
The single most decorated finding in social psychology of the last twenty years was a 15-minute writing exercise…
VIA Character Strengths: An S-Tier Behavioral Designer’s Guide
Most people who try to “play to their strengths” never do the one thing the research actually says…
Locus of Control: An S-Tier Behavioral Designer’s Guide to Rotter
Two players sit at the same losing screen. One of them sighs and says: “I should have built…
Savoring: An S-Tier Behavioral Designer’s Guide to Bryant & Veroff
Most “positive psychology” advice tells you to feel more good things. Savoring is the only research program that…