Enter Your Dinner Now!: Uncovering Persuasive Message Attributes in Tracking Reminders that Motivate Logging

by | May 1, 2020 | Research Publications

Author(s):

  • Jin Kang
  • Lewen Wei

Abstract:

Continuous tracking of information is critical for meaningful self-reflection and self-monitoring, but people often forget to log their information in tracking devices. Research indicates that tracking reminders can successfully remind people to log their information, yet, little is known about what make reminders (in)effective. We extend prior work by identifying message attributes in tracking reminders that people find most effective in motivating them to log. To address this overarching research goal, we conducted two online studies where participants evaluated and designed tracking reminders. In Study 1, participants (N = 135) evaluated a set of tracking reminders for different behaviors (e.g., breakfast, weight) from popular fitness tracking apps on several dimensions such as the persuasiveness of each reminder. We found that participants liked reminders that were straightforward, encouraging, goal specific, and positive. In Study 2, participants (N = 100) designed a reminder for different behaviors (i.e., breakfast, lunch, dinner, weight, and exercise) that would successfully motivate them to log. Through thematic analysis of participants’ self-created reminders, we again found prominent message attributes that had emerged in Study 1 and also uncovered novel message attributes, including personalization, humor, and friend-like. Design implications are discussed in light of our findings.

Documentation:

https://doi.org/10.1145/3421937.3422014

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