[CS] Brennan Schaffner Dissertation Defense/Apr 18, 2025

[via cs]

This is an announcement of Brennan Schaffner's Dissertation Defense.
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Candidate: Brennan Schaffner

Date: Friday, April 18, 2025

Time:  1:30 pm CST

Location: JCL 298

Title: Building Evidence of Dark Pattern Effects on User Attention and Behavior

Abstract: Design choices on digital platforms significantly influence user behavior and experience. Rather than prioritizing user well-being, many platforms employ tactics that steer user choices to their advantage, a platform tendency that is all too familiar. While all design can influence user behavior, many online platforms employ design elements beyond neutral influence and engage with coercion, manipulation, and deception, commonly referred to as "dark patterns.'' This dissertation addresses open questions regarding dark patterns, including: 1) What are end-user experiences with dark patterns specifically designed to capture and steer user attention? 2) What behavioral changes do attention-capturing designs induce? 3) Lastly, what areas of consensus or tension exist regarding dark patterns' effects on user behavior more broadly? Accordingly, the dissertation comprises three studies: 1) A qualitative interview study exploring user experiences with dark patterns designed to capture and steer user attention, revealing how features like Netflix's autoplay and intrusive recommendations can undermine user autonomy. 2) A quantitative experimental study measuring the reduction in Netflix consumption when autoplay is disabled, suggesting increased user autonomy. 3) A systematic literature review synthesizing existing quantitative research on dark patterns, highlighting scholarly consensus on the impact of dark patterns on user behavior and identifying areas needing further investigation. Collectively, these studies provide empirical evidence on how design choices can manipulate user attention and behavior, offering insights to inform designers, policymakers, and users about the ethical implications of such design patterns.

Advisors: Marshini Chetty

Commitee: Chenhao Tan, Alex Kale,  Colin Gray, Lior Strahilevitz, Marshini Chetty