This Week’s Persuasion and Influence Articles

The Scientists Who Make Apps Addictive

Discusses brain psychology, the intermittent rewards of slot machines, and how these concepts are now used by tech companies to increase your interaction and their profits.

Slot machines use computers to analyze your play and maximize your addiction. Photo "Slot Machines" by Rennett Stowe, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
Slot machines use computers to analyze your play and maximize your addiction. Photo “Slot Machines” by Rennett Stowe, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

What’s More Distracting Than A Noisy Co-Worker? Turns Out, Not Much

The human brain is wired to listen for human-made sounds. We can’t help but get distracted — our survival depends on it. Current open-concept office trends are making this worse.

 

The Best Political Ads of the 2016 Campaign

Regardless of the Persuasion skills of a certain presidential candidate, all four balloted candidates are interested in your vote. This article discusses some of their best commercials.