Clicks, Drags, and Whips: How Tiny Movements Change Your Survey Answers

Dr. Melanie Brucks, Assistant Professor of Business at Columbia Business School, shares insights from her research, “Clicks, Drags, and Whips: When Taking Digital Surveys, Your Movements Matter.” She explores how subtle variations in digital survey interfaces can shape participants’ responses, and how these small differences can accumulate to create significant effects. Dr. Melanie Brucks’ research reveals that the simple way we move through digital surveys whether we click, drag, or “whip” our responses, can subtly but systematically change how we answer questions. By closely tracking these movements, she shows that interface choices like sliders versus radio buttons are not neutral; they shape attention, judgments, and even extreme responses, especially when people feel uncertain. These seemingly small effects can meaningfully influence real-world outcomes, from customer ratings and bids to organizational decisions that rely on survey data. This podcast is brought to you by Global Management Consultancy. For more information, please visit www.globalmanagementconsultancy.com. Disclaimer: A. The background music used in this video is the property of its respective developer and is protected by Copyright. Although it is a free version, Business Talk, Global Management Consultancy and Deepak Bhatt do not hold the rights to this music. B. Dr. Melanie Brucks shared profound insights from her research, “Clicks, Drags, and Whips: When Taking Digital Surveys, Your Movements Matter,” in an engaging conversation on the Business Talk podcast channel. The uploaded video contains copyrighted material; therefore, any modifications to graphics, music, or the presence of the author or host are strictly prohibited.