UX & UI Explained: Random Variable Rewards
Random Variable Rewards are things that happen in our lives without us realizing how good they are, in this case, on the internet.
It’s something that is commonly used by large companies such as Google to hook it’s users.
But what is a Random Variable Reward?
It’s essentially something created in uncertainty that ends up giving us a very satisfying reward. It works because it gives us a very strong pleasure which translates in production of Dopamine.
Dopamine plays a role in how we feel pleasure. It’s a big part of our unique human ability to think and plan. It helps us strive, focus, and find things interesting.
How does it keep us engaged?
Simple. Through the pursuit of the uncertainty, it creates feelings as excitement and motivation!
Now a simple question for you… What do you prefer?
- 50% chance at earning 100$ and a 50% at 50$?
- 100% chance at earning 100$?
Actually, people have been shown more effort and time to get an uncertain reward, because we have to be honest, it’s funnier!
A perfect example of Random Variable Rewards.
The Google Doodles. They are frequently, since 1998 creating variable reward in their UX with the purpose of engaging and surprising it’s users with a new UI Design.
We can’t predict when a new Doodle will appear and that’s why it’s very exciting, surprising and rewarding. The Google Doodles have been evolving with incredible new features as mini-games for example.
Below, I leave what I think is one of the most interesting and funny of recent times. The Google Doodle (Programming for Kids): https://www.google.com/logos/2017/logo17/logo17.html?hl=pt-PT
Hope you enjoyed this reading and thank you very much!
