Research Archive

This thesis explores how complexity theory principles can inform the design of persuasive behavior change systems. Rather than treating habits as linear cause-and-effect sequences, we argue that meaningful change emerges from interactions within complex adaptive systems.

We propose "Persuasive Affordance Design" as a framework that creates environmental conditions conducive to behavior change without manipulation. Drawing on ecological design patterns and biomimicry, we demonstrate how playful engagement (Homo Ludens) can facilitate intrinsic motivation.

The Mindful Meerkats prototype — precursor to Meeka — serves as a case study, implementing holistic attributes (H.BMS.CTP) to address the fragmentation of quantified self applications.

This case study examines how bottom-up design principles — where complex behavior emerges from simple local interactions — can be applied to digital behavior change interventions. We contrast top-down prescriptive systems (rigid habit tracking) with emergent systems that adapt to user context.

Meerkats exhibit remarkable balance between vigilance and playfulness, independence and community. This case study explores how their social structures — cooperative sentinel behavior, collaborative pup-rearing, balanced risk-taking — can inform the design of holistic wellbeing systems.

Drawing parallels between ecological Planetary Boundaries and personal wellbeing, this framework argues that endless self-optimization is both unsustainable and counterproductive. We propose a "sufficiency-based" model that celebrates "enough" rather than "more."