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A review by ahmed_suliman
Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal
3.0
It’s an insightful book that delves into the psychology behind product design and how to create habit-forming experiences. The book analyzes the way social media and other products grab our attention and distract us from real-life, highlighting the power of triggers, actions, variable rewards, and investments in driving user engagement. One of the book's strengths is its focus on internal triggers, which are emotions or feelings that prompt actions to resolve them. By understanding and leveraging these internal triggers, products can become deeply ingrained in users' habits. The author emphasizes the importance of finding the right internal trigger for your product and associating it with users' needs and desires.
The idea of providing variable rewards is another key aspect discussed in the book. By offering unpredictable and varied rewards, products can create a sense of anticipation and excitement, leading to increased user engagement. The author cites Skinner's Pigeon Experiment to highlight the effect of variability on behavior and the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with reward-seeking. And the concept of investment as a crucial component of the Hook Model. By asking users to invest their time, data, or effort into a product, it creates a sense of ownership and attachment, making it harder for users to switch to competing products. The author explains that users tend to value their own work more, a phenomenon known as the "IKEA effect," and leveraging this principle can increase repeat usage. It’s my first time to think from this perspective, Thanx Nir Eyal.
In my opinion, "Hooked" is a highly intelligent analysis of how products, particularly those in the realm of social media, capture our attention and create addictive experiences. I particularly appreciated its focus on the psychological aspects of habit formation.I believe that "Hooked," combined with "The Happy Brain – Dean burnette" and "Social Media Minimalism," would make a great trio of books to gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of technology on our daily lives and how to navigate it mindfully.
The idea of providing variable rewards is another key aspect discussed in the book. By offering unpredictable and varied rewards, products can create a sense of anticipation and excitement, leading to increased user engagement. The author cites Skinner's Pigeon Experiment to highlight the effect of variability on behavior and the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with reward-seeking. And the concept of investment as a crucial component of the Hook Model. By asking users to invest their time, data, or effort into a product, it creates a sense of ownership and attachment, making it harder for users to switch to competing products. The author explains that users tend to value their own work more, a phenomenon known as the "IKEA effect," and leveraging this principle can increase repeat usage. It’s my first time to think from this perspective, Thanx Nir Eyal.
In my opinion, "Hooked" is a highly intelligent analysis of how products, particularly those in the realm of social media, capture our attention and create addictive experiences. I particularly appreciated its focus on the psychological aspects of habit formation.I believe that "Hooked," combined with "The Happy Brain – Dean burnette" and "Social Media Minimalism," would make a great trio of books to gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of technology on our daily lives and how to navigate it mindfully.