Playing on Anxiety
Persuasive technology also plays on your anxieties. When you’re anticipating something you release cortisol, a stress hormone. You feel on edge and compelled to resolve the situation.
Again, this makes perfect sense from a biological point of view. If there’s a problem, your brain makes you feel uncomfortable until you deal with it.
This is why messaging services have the three dots on your screen while the other person is typing. You know that something is going to happen, but you don’t know what.
