When designing a service for users, we're constantly trying to push them to do things. We're creating systems to get them motivated so they see the value they'll get out of the product. Perfectly done, users don't even feel like they are getting pushed because they truely see the value.
So is it really different from manipulating someone?
Manipulation is about to push someone to do something using some psychological technics. Perfectly done, this one doesn't even know he's getting manipulated. So at the end, he do the thing for itself because he found good reasons to do it (or no bad ones).
Actually, sometimes manipulating someone makes him doing something he wouldn't do otherwise. For example, nod your head while talking to someone and chances are he'll do the same and finally agree with what your saying (sorry, can't retrieve the source). Maybe he wouldn't in a different situation. While this is bad, is it really different from motivating someone ?
Let's say someone has to lose weight but he don't want to make sport. His parents offer him 10$ everytime he goes biking. At the end he wants this money so he goes but not for its own sake. Did him get motivated or manipulated ?
I know money is not the best factor of motivation, this is just an easy to understand example.
Here is the question : Would it be relevant to learn/understand how manipulation works as UX Designers ? Would it makes us better ?
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The difference between manipulation and motivation
Manipulation is thinking of a reason others will want to do something, and then convincing them of your correctness.
Motivation is genuinely seeking out the wants, needs, and desires of the other party, and then working with the other party to find solutions that meet your needs - and theirs.
As designers I feel like we're sometimes convincing people of the product's correctness so, according to this article, we're manipulating people, right ?
Manipulation is getting someone to do something for your benefit that he/she does not want to do regardless of the benefit to him/her.
Motivation is getting some to do something for your benefit that he/she does want to do which is also beneficial to him/her.
This article seems to associate manipulation to what I would call "dishonest manipulation" (unless the manipulated person truely want to do the thing at the end).
Wikipedia's definition of Psychological Manipulation
Psychological manipulation is a type of social influence that aims to change the perception or behavior of others through underhanded, deceptive, or even abusive tactics. (...) Social influence is not necessarily negative. For example, doctors can try to persuade patients to change unhealthy habits.
This controversed page (see source) state that manipulation can't be honnest unless it's about social influence or persuasion. So, there is some aspects that are worth learning in manipulation !
Wikipedia's definition of Motivation
Motivation is the driving force that causes the flux from desire to will in life.
It seems to be about a "physical/real" desire.
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Why this question ?
Manipulation is commonly seen as a bad thing so we don't want to manipulate users and we don't even want to learn how to do it. But what if some aspects of psychological manipulation was great and respectfull tools ?
