The development of short video platforms like YouTube Shorts, TikTok, or Facebook Reels is based on several psychological principles designed to optimize user experience and create addictive behavior. Some of the key psychological theories applied include:


1. Behaviorism and Operant Conditioning

  • Concept: Behaviorism emphasizes that human behavior can be shaped through reinforcement (rewards) and punishment. Operant conditioning refers to the idea that behavior tends to be repeated if positively reinforced.
  • Application: These platforms use immediate rewards such as likes, comments, and followers to reinforce content creation and video watching. These positive responses serve as “rewards” that stimulate users to continue engaging with the platform.

2. Brain Reward System and Dopamine

  • Concept: When people receive rewards (whether physical or emotional), the brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction.
  • Application: Short videos provide instant gratification. Their brief length, engaging content, and quick feedback like likes stimulate a dopamine release, making users feel excited and prompting them to continue watching more videos.

3. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

  • Concept: FOMO is the anxiety of missing out on important events or information that others are experiencing. This feeling often drives people to constantly stay updated.
  • Application: Short videos often become trends very quickly. Users tend to watch and create content to keep up with trends, fearing that they might miss out on the fun and excitement their friends are experiencing.

4. Short Attention Span Theory

  • Concept: People tend to have difficulty focusing on one activity for extended periods. Quick, concise content is more effective at capturing and holding attention.
  • Application: Short videos cater to the habit of quick content consumption. Platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts leverage the short duration (just a few seconds to a minute) to match users' limited attention spans, keeping them engaged.

5. Endless Scroll Effect

  • Concept: This refers to the design of platforms where users can continue scrolling without a clear stopping point. It exploits the psychological difficulty of breaking away when there’s no defined end.
  • Application: TikTok, Reels, and Shorts provide an infinite stream of content, making it easy for users to get immersed without knowing when to stop. This increases the time spent on the app and traps users in a continuous flow of content.

6. Social Interaction Theory

  • Concept: People tend to feel more interested and engaged with content that relates to their community or what others are interacting with.
  • Application: Short video platforms often encourage users to join challenges, replicate popular videos, or interact with others’ content. This fosters a sense of community engagement, motivating users to create content and participate.

7. Zeigarnik Effect

  • Concept: This effect states that people tend to remember tasks that are incomplete or experiences that are unfinished more clearly than those that are completed.
  • Application: Short videos often end abruptly or leave an open-ended conclusion, sparking curiosity and encouraging viewers to continue watching other videos to complete the experience. This keeps users engaged and promotes continuous interaction.

8. Cognitive Interference Principle

  • Concept: Unexpected, different, or unique content tends to attract more attention due to cognitive disruption compared to routine patterns.
  • Application: TikTok and Reels often feature videos with creative and unconventional content—from unique music, eye-catching visual effects, to surprising actions. This draws users' attention, making it easier for them to notice and remember these videos.

Conclusion:

Platforms like YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Facebook Reels leverage various psychological theories to optimize user experience and increase addictive behaviors. This helps them retain users for longer periods and encourages continuous engagement.