Captology is a term coined by B.J. Fogg in 1996 to refer to the study of computers as persuasive technologies. This area of inquiry explores the overlapping space between persuasion in general (influence, motivation, behavior change, etc.) and computing technology. This includes the design, research, and program analysis of interactive computing products (such as the Web, desktop software, specialized devices, etc.) created for the purpose of changing people's attitudes or behaviors.

Fogg derived the term captology from an acronym: Computers As Persuasive Technologies. In 2003 he published the first book on captology, entitled Persuasive Technology: Using Computers to Change What We Think and Do.

[edit] See also

• Is Google Making Us Stupid?

[edit] External links

• The Stanford University Persuasive Technology Lab
• The Web Credibility Project

[edit] Further reading

• B.J. Fogg Persuasive Technology: Using Computers to Change What We Think and Do, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 2002, trade paperback 205 pages, ISBN 1-55860-643-2

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