At SXSW, I attended an engaging workshop titled “Psychological Architectures for Persuasive Tech.” The session explored key concepts of persuasion and influence, with the goal of helping people build lasting habits.
The presenter, Brian Cugelman, Ph.D., introduced his Interactive Influence Model, a framework inspired by Robert Cialdini’s classic book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. What stood out was how Cugelman applied communication design to show how persuasive messages flow between different actors. He also shared his process for deconstructing persuasive messaging within user interfaces.
What I appreciated most was how Cugelman reframed persuasion—often seen as a euphemism for manipulation—as a tool for meaningful behavior change. Rather than exploiting users, persuasion can help people adopt healthier habits, make better choices, and stick to long-term goals.
One myth he debunked is the idea that habits take only three weeks to form. Drawing on research, he explained that it actually takes around 66 days to establish lasting habits—an important insight for anyone designing digital products, such as fitness or wellness apps.
From an experience design perspective, the workshop was a reminder of how much academic research can inform digital innovation. By bridging behavioral science and user experience design, we can create technology that truly supports positive change.