Re:The tech industry's use of persuasive techniques on children
by malvosenior on Monday August 13, 2018 @12:39PM
(#17751397)
I would argue that psychological manipulation is at the heart of all 20th century media and advertising. If you haven't seen it, check out The Century Of Self. It covers the roots of 20th century marketing and individualism (psychology).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Century_of_the_Self
Bands may not have hired psychologists but record labels were definitely manipulative to fans and artists alike.
Re:The tech industry's use of persuasive techniques on children
by imron on Monday August 13, 2018 @01:11PM
(#17751659)
> I would argue that psychological manipulation is at the heart of all 20th century media and advertising.
The difference here is the incredibly tight feedback loop and a unique, detailed psychologial profile of each user to work with.
Re:The tech industry's use of persuasive techniques on children
by ska on Monday August 13, 2018 @01:09PM
(#17751645)
Of course it is. Advertising and it's sibling propaganda have always been about psychological manipulation, at least in part.
The main difference in the cell phone era is access and engagement. It's an interesting question, I think, as to whether this constitutes merely a difference of degree or a fundamental shift.
There was an element of TV and advertising to sell you a physical product. What is different with tech is the stimulation of the brain that it accomplished something or makes you feel good about something (likes on a social media pic).
Game and social media companies aren't just grabbing your attention to show you a cool new toy. They are grabbing your attention by hiring psychologists to help engineer their product (game, social media) so you don't want to put it down. Many mobile games are engineered like a heroin dealer - first one's free, you get to a certain level/time played and you have to pay to get ahead.
That is much different than seeing a commercial for a new Star Wars toy. And much more different than an older person not relating to new technology.