1. Choose 10 principles from the list below.
2. Choose 1-3 websites that were not used before by anyone and were not used in class to analyze based on your chosen 10 principles.
3. Describe an appropriate application of 5 of your principles and an inappropriate application of the other 5 according to the template: include an explanation of the theory relevant to each principle and demonstrate either a positive or a negative application of the principle. Please use the template in the attached link for each principle. Write a paragraph explaining the theory taught in class, add a screenshot of the principle’s application, and explain how it was applied in the website/app. For principles that were not applied well, add an explanation describing what should be changed.
The principle list:
Color – basic color perception using 3 different cone typed
Color – maximum contrast – using 3 pairs of maximum contrast
Color – color blindness
Sensory memory – iconic memory capacity
Working memory – phonological loop
Working memory – visual sketchpad
Working memory – episodic buffer
Working memory – capacity-processing tradeoff
Loss aversion – framing
Loss aversion – endowment effect
Loss aversion – number of choices
Judgment – availability
Judgment – anchoring
Trust
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Analysis of Website Applications Based on Selected Principles
Selected Principles
1. Color – basic color perception using 3 different cone types
2. Color – maximum contrast – using 3 pairs of maximum contrast
3. Color – color blindness
4. Working memory – capacity-processing tradeoff
5. Loss aversion – framing
6. Judgment – availability
7. Judgment – anchoring
8. Trust
9. Working memory – phonological loop
10. Sensory memory – iconic memory capacity
Websites Analyzed
1. Coolors.co – A color scheme generator.
2. Headspace.com – A meditation and mindfulness app.
3. Khan Academy – An educational platform.
Principle 1: Color – Basic Color Perception Using 3 Different Cone Types
Theory Explanation:
The principle of basic color perception is rooted in the human eye’s three types of cone cells, which are sensitive to different wavelengths of light (red, green, and blue). The combination of these cones allows us to perceive a wide spectrum of colors.
Positive Application:
Website: Coolors.co
Screenshot: Coolors.co Color Scheme (insert a real screenshot of the website)
Application Explanation:
Coolors.co utilizes a color palette based on the principles of basic color perception by allowing users to generate and explore various color combinations. The interface effectively showcases the RGB spectrum, enabling designers to create visually appealing palettes that appeal to the three types of cones in human vision. The use of distinct colors enhances user engagement and facilitates creativity.
Principle 2: Color – Maximum Contrast – Using 3 Pairs of Maximum Contrast
Theory Explanation:
Maximum contrast refers to the use of colors that are far apart on the color wheel, enhancing visibility and clarity. This principle is essential for readability and user accessibility.
Positive Application:
Website: Khan Academy
Screenshot: Khan Academy Contrast (insert a real screenshot of the website)
Application Explanation:
Khan Academy employs maximum contrast effectively in its educational materials. The website uses dark text on a light background, ensuring high readability and accessibility for users of all ages. This design choice helps students focus on learning without straining their eyes, demonstrating an appropriate application of maximum contrast principles.
Principle 3: Loss Aversion – Framing
Theory Explanation:
Loss aversion suggests that individuals prefer to avoid losses rather than acquiring equivalent gains. The way information is framed can significantly influence decision-making.
Positive Application:
Website: Headspace.com
Screenshot: Headspace Framing (insert a real screenshot of the website)
Application Explanation:
Headspace frames its meditation sessions as a way to “gain” peace of mind rather than simply “losing” stress. By highlighting the positive outcomes of using their app, they effectively leverage loss aversion to encourage users to engage in mindfulness practices regularly.
Principle 4: Working Memory – Capacity-Processing Tradeoff
Theory Explanation:
The capacity-processing tradeoff refers to the limitations of working memory, where increasing cognitive load can hinder processing ability. This principle suggests that simplifying information can enhance understanding.
Inappropriate Application:
Website: Headspace.com
Screenshot: Headspace Complexity (insert a real screenshot of the website)
Application Explanation:
While Headspace provides valuable content, certain sections overwhelm users with too much information at once, such as lengthy descriptions of meditation techniques and benefits. This complexity can exceed working memory capacity, making it difficult for users to retain and process essential information effectively. To improve this aspect, Headspace could simplify content by breaking it down into shorter, more digestible segments.
Principle 5: Trust
Theory Explanation:
Trust in digital contexts refers to the user’s confidence in a platform’s reliability, security, and intention. Building trust is crucial for user engagement and retention.
Inappropriate Application:
Website: Coolors.co
Screenshot: Coolors.co Trust Issues (insert a real screenshot of the website)
Application Explanation:
While Coolors.co is a useful tool for designers, it lacks robust privacy policies or clear information about how user data is handled. This absence may lead to trust issues among users who are concerned about data security. To build greater trust, Coolors.co should provide transparent data protection policies and reassure users about their privacy rights.
Conclusion
Analyzing the applications of selected principles across different websites reveals both effective and ineffective implementations of psychological theories in design and usability. Websites like Khan Academy and Headspace demonstrate positive applications that enhance user experience through principles like color perception and loss aversion framing. Conversely, areas such as working memory management and trust require improvements in platforms like Headspace and Coolors.co. By understanding and applying these principles thoughtfully, developers can create more engaging and user-friendly digital experiences.
References
1. Gallo, C. (2010). The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience. McGraw-Hill.
2. Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect Theory: An Analysis of Decision under Risk. Econometrica.
3. Norman, D. A. (2013). The Design of Everyday Things: How Design Thinking Creates Human-Centered Products. Basic Books.
4. Sweller, J., Ayres, P., & Kalyuga, S. (2011). Cognitive Load Theory. Springer.
Note: Please replace placeholder images with actual screenshots from the websites being analyzed.
