Has 2020 Killed Your Spirit Too? SAME. want to know why?

Slides for WordFest 2021 talk
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“Hey, how ya doin’?”

Anyone else cringe when this question was asked in the chaotic year of 2020? Anyone else feeling unmotivated, unfocused, and discombobulated? There’s actually science behind why we are feeling some of these things, so not only are you not alone, but your body and brain is actually functioning *correctly*

In UX design we study cognitive science and psychology in order to create better products. Turns out that understanding how we function/don’t function through a global pandemic, at a time when the world is (sometimes literally) *on fire*, also benefits from this same science.

Transcript

1. Same. HAS 2020 KILLED YOUR SPIRIT TOO? WORDFEST 2021 WANT TO KNOW WHY? TRACY APPS @TAPPS
2. “HEY, HOW YA DOIN’?” @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
3. “HEY, HOW YA DOIN’?” PRETTY AWFUL. YOU? @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
4. @ ! WTF 2020? MY TYPICAL 2020 DAILY AGENDA: Rampant depression Complete lack of motivation Excessive TikToking Dissociating Uncontainable anxiety Obsessive internetting research Increased ice cream consumption Information overload & news exhaustion A concerning amount of chips & cookies consumed in place of dinner Regular bouts of despair, shame & panic Unchecked & unprocessed grief Discombobulated & disillusioned Inability to focus on anything of importance Lack of/avoidance of human contact Compulsive online purchasing Overwhelmed & burnt out Another puzzle done
5. MY TYPICAL 2020 DAILY AGENDA: Rampant depression Complete lack of motivation Excessive TikToking Dissociating Uncontainable anxiety Obsessive internetting research Increased ice cream consumption Information overload & news exhaustion A concerning amount of chips & cookies consumed in place of dinner Regular bouts of despair, shame & panic Unchecked & unprocessed grief Discombobulated & disillusioned Inability to focus on anything of importance Lack of/avoidance of human contact Compulsive online purchasing Overwhelmed & burnt out Another puzzle done JUST TO NAME A FEW @ ! WTF 2020?
6. OUR BRAINS ARE WORKING FINE BUT GUESS WHAT? @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
7. BRAINS ARE WEIRD WAIT, WHAT? #
8. I repeat: you. are. not. broken. YOU'RE NOT BROKEN @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
9. OUR BRAINS CAN'T EVEN... -process all the information they receive. @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
10. GET EATEN BY A BEAR -there's some shortcuts and a bunch of other stu our brains do so we don't @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
11. - Abstract thinking - Problem solving - Reasoning - Executive functioning - Organizing - Motor functions - Regulates emotions - Attention control - Future thinking & planning - Speech - Auditory processing - Hearing - Behavior - Emotions - Short-term memory - Long-term memory - Sensory information (taste/touch/smell/temperature) - Visual system - Visual information (recognizes letters) - Balance - Coordination - Attention - Rhythm - Proprioception - Vestibular @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
12. - Abstract thinking - Problem solving - Reasoning - Executive functioning - Organizing - Motor functions - Regulates emotions - Attention control - Future thinking & planning
13. FRONTAL LOBE 1. the prefrontal cortex 2. the premotor area 3. the motor area @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
14. @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN FRONTAL LOBE 1. the prefrontal cortex 2. the premotor area 3. the motor area responsible for planning complex cognitive behaviors, the expression of personality, decision making, and social behavior prepares your body's muscles for the exact movements the will make. in other words, it helps you control your movements the main contributor to generating neural impulses that pass down to the spinal cord and control the execution of movement
15. @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN FRONTAL LOBE 1. the prefrontal cortex 2. the premotor area 3. the motor area responsible for planning complex cognitive behaviors, the expression of personality, decision making, and social behavior prepares your body's muscles for the exact movements the will make. in other words, it helps you control your movements the main contributor to generating neural impulses that pass down to the spinal cord and control the execution of movement
16. SCIENCE! WHY DOES THIS MATTER? $ @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
17. BACK TO THAT BEAR SITUATION... NOW, @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
18. WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT? BACK TO THAT BEAR SITUATION... NOW, -"hmmm... maybe i should add a little more to my 401k next month..." -RUN AWAY! OR @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
19. OUR BRAINS ARE SMART SOMETIMES @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
20. REROUTING... BLOOD FROM FRONTAL LOBE. STRESS! @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
21. REROUTING... STRESS! BLOOD FROM FRONTAL LOBE. FIGHT OR FLIGHT MODE: @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
22. REROUTING... STRESS! BLOOD FROM FRONTAL LOBE. FIGHT OR FLIGHT MODE: ACTIVATED! @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
23. BLOOD FROM FRONTAL LOBE. FIGHT OR FLIGHT MODE: ACTIVATED! REROUTING... STRESS! STRESS! STRESS! STRESS! STRESS! STRESS! STRESS! STRESS! STRESS! STRESS! STRESS! STRESS! @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
24. - Abstract thinking - Problem solving - Reasoning - Executive functioning - Organizing - Motor functions - Regulates emotions - Attention control - Future thinking & planning @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
25. - Abstract thinking - Problem solving - Reasoning - Executive functioning - Organizing - Motor functions - Regulates emotions - Attention control - Future thinking & planning BREAKING NEWS! YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED! @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
26. - Abstract thinking - Problem solving - Reasoning - Executive functioning - Organizing - Motor functions - Regulates emotions - Attention control - Future thinking & planning BREAKING NEWS! YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED! @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
27. - Abstract thinking - Problem solving - Reasoning - Executive functioning - Organizing - Motor functions - Regulates emotions - Attention control - Future thinking & planning BREAKING NEWS! YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED! BREAKING NEWS! EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE! @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
28. - Abstract thinking - Problem solving - Reasoning - Executive functioning - Organizing - Motor functions - Regulates emotions - Attention control - Future thinking & planning BREAKING NEWS! YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED! BREAKING NEWS! EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE! @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
29. - Abstract thinking - Problem solving - Reasoning - Executive functioning - Organizing - Motor functions - Regulates emotions - Attention control - Future thinking & planning BREAKING NEWS! YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED! BREAKING NEWS! EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE! BREAKING NEWS! PROTESTS! INJUSTICE! EDUCATE! PARTICIPATE! BREAKING NEWS! DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS CRAZY THING ON TWITTER? @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
30. @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN - Abstract thinking - Problem solving - Reasoning - Executive functioning - Organizing - Motor functions - Regulates emotions - Attention control - Future thinking & planning BREAKING NEWS! YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED! BREAKING NEWS! EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE! BREAKING NEWS! PROTESTS! INJUSTICE! EDUCATE! PARTICIPATE! BREAKING NEWS! DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS CRAZY THING ON TWITTER?
31. @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN - Abstract thinking - Problem solving - Reasoning - Executive functioning - Organizing - Motor functions - Regulates emotions - Attention control - Future thinking & planning BREAKING NEWS! YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED! BREAKING NEWS! EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE! BREAKING NEWS! PROTESTS! INJUSTICE! EDUCATE! PARTICIPATE! BREAKING NEWS! MURDER HORNETS? BREAKING NEWS! DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS CRAZY THING ON TWITTER? BREAKING NEWS! TWO HURRICANES ARE COLLIDING! BREAKING NEWS! EVERYTHING IS ONLINE NOW. GOOD LUCK ADJUSTING! WAIT... DID YOU SAY MURDER HORNETS?
32. @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN - Abstract thinking - Problem solving - Reasoning - Executive functioning - Organizing - Motor functions - Regulates emotions - Attention control - Future thinking & planning BREAKING NEWS! YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED! BREAKING NEWS! EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE! BREAKING NEWS! PROTESTS! INJUSTICE! EDUCATE! PARTICIPATE! BREAKING NEWS! MURDER HORNETS? BREAKING NEWS! DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS CRAZY THING ON TWITTER? WAIT... DID YOU SAY MURDER HORNETS? BREAKING NEWS! TWO HURRICANES ARE COLLIDING! BREAKING NEWS! EVERYTHING IS ONLINE NOW. GOOD LUCK ADJUSTING!
33. - Abstract thinking - Problem solving - Reasoning - Executive functioning - Organizing - Motor functions - Regulates emotions - Attention control - Future thinking & planning BREAKING NEWS! YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS THING THAT HAPPENED! BREAKING NEWS! EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE! BREAKING NEWS! PROTESTS! INJUSTICE! EDUCATE! PARTICIPATE! BREAKING NEWS! MURDER HORNETS? BREAKING NEWS! DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS CRAZY THING ON TWITTER? WAIT... DID YOU SAY MURDER HORNETS? BREAKING NEWS! TWO HURRICANES ARE COLLIDING! BREAKING NEWS! EVERYTHING IS ONLINE NOW. GOOD LUCK ADJUSTING! @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
34. you didn't think we were done, right? just like 2020 itself, we're on to the next thing... BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
35. WHY IS THERE NO TOILET PAPER? % AND OTHER WAYS HUMAN ACTIONS ARE CONTROLLED BY COGNITIVE BIAS % % % % % % @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
36. COGNITIVE BIAS THE TL;DR OF OUR BRAINS @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
37. When stressed, believing that taking action–any action–will resolve problems. (even when they don't) - ACTION TAKEN: hoarding food & toilet paper - REALITY: there was no threat of a shortage ... if people weren't panic buying all the TP ACTION BIAS COGNITIVE BIAS AND THEN AMPLIFIED BY "THE BANDWAGON EFFECT" @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
38. - OVERESTIMATING the probability of low-risk events (e.g. being a victim of a terrorist attack) - UNDERESTIMATING high probability risks (like becoming infected with a virus during a pandemic) REPRESENTATIVENESS HEURISTIC COGNITIVE BIAS @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
39. Instead of solving a complex problem, solving an easier one - BIG COMPLEX PROBLEM: the US healthcare system is extremely flawed and unjust - SUBSTITUTED SOLUTION: "we added hand sanitizer dispenser by the door" SUBSTITUTION BIAS COGNITIVE BIAS @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
40. ... JUST TO NAME A FEW BELIEF BIAS AVAILABILITY BIAS HINDSIGHT BIAS EXPONENTIAL-GROWTH BIAS IN-GROUP FAVORITISM BIAS FRAMING BIAS ANCHORING BIAS BASE RATE FALLACY OSTRICH EFFECT TELESCOPING EFFECT @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
41. AND DON'T FORGET: prolonged exposure to stress literally changes your brain and negatively e ects your health PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO STRESS LITERALLY CHANGES YOUR BRAIN AND NEGATIVELY EFFECTS YOUR HEALTH @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
42. AND DON'T FORGET: PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO STRESS LITERALLY CHANGES YOUR BRAIN AND NEGATIVELY EFFECTS YOUR HEALTH ongoing acute traumatic stress experience risks developing cPTSD symptoms (Post-COVID Stress Disorder) ONGOING ACUTE TRAUMATIC STRESS EXPERIENCE RISKS DEVELOPING CPTSD SYMPTOMS (POST-COVID STRESS DISORDER) @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
43. AND DON'T FORGET: PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO STRESS LITERALLY CHANGES YOUR BRAIN AND NEGATIVELY EFFECTS YOUR HEALTH The core experiences of psychological trauma are disempowerment and disconnection from others ONGOING ACUTE TRAUMATIC STRESS EXPERIENCE RISKS DEVELOPING CPTSD SYMPTOMS (POST-COVID STRESS DISORDER) THE CORE EXPERIENCES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA ARE DISEMPOWERMENT AND DISCONNECTION FROM OTHERS @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
44. REMEMBER PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO STRESS LITERALLY CHANGES YOUR BRAIN AND NEGATIVELY EFFECTS YOUR HEALTH YOU ARE NOT BROKEN ONGOING ACUTE TRAUMATIC STRESS EXPERIENCE RISKS DEVELOPING CPTSD SYMPTOMS (POST-COVID STRESS DISORDER) THE CORE EXPERIENCES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA ARE DISEMPOWERMENT AND DISCONNECTION FROM OTHERS @TAPPS ! WTF 2020? TAPPS.DESIGN
45. BE NICER TO YOURSELF YOU'RE DOING GREAT!
46. BE NICER TO YOURSELF YOU'RE DOING GREAT! THANK YOU!
47. BE NICER TO YOURSELF YOU'RE DOING GREAT! KEEP IN TOUCH! @TAPPS @TAPPS @THEREALTAPPS LINKTR.EE/TAPPS /IN/TAPPS /TRACYAPPS SPEAKERDECK.COM/TAPPS SLIDES AT: