Articles

This research identifies inappropriate uses of social design elements that manipulate user behavior, distinguishing four tactics: 'agents' playing on emotions, being pushy, mothering users, or being passive-aggressive. It also covers pragmatic factors making messages rude or invasive, such as contextual insensitivity, false personalized care, or misaligned system roles. The paper frames these as 'social' dark and anti-patterns, offering recommendations for improving how interfaces treat people respectfully.