Psychology Principles Every Designer Should Master (with Susan Weinschenk)

Send us Fan MailToday on The Design Psychologist, we're diving deep into the intersection of psychology and design with none other than Susan Weinschenk, PhD—the person you’ll literally find next to the term “design psychologist” in the dictionary.  Susan is a pioneer in applying behavioral science to UX and product design, and the author of essential books like How to Get People to Do Stuff and 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People. In this conversation, we explore Susan's journey from psychology to design, how human factors evolved into today’s UX, and why understanding the three parts of the brain is crucial for anyone building products. You’ll also hear us unpack:Why emotional and unconscious processing drives most user behavior Why dopamine isn't about pleasure—but about anticipationWhat most designers get wrong about memory and readabilityThe neuroscience of storytelling and why it matters for websites, apps, and productsThe psychology behind gamification—and what truly motivates usersWhy stories are essential in product and communication design Why every UX decision should start with a “micro-moment” Resources Mentioned:100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People and 100 MORE Things Every Designer Needs To Know About People  by Susan WeinschenkNeuro Web Design: What Makes Them Click?  (2nd Edition) by Susan WeinschenkRedirect by Timothy D. WilsonRobert Sapolsky’s research on dopamineConnect with Susan Weinschenk:WebsiteLinkedInIf today’s conversation helped you think more deeply about your work, I’d love it if you left a quick rating or review on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast listening app. It helps more thoughtful designers discover the show—and keeps these meaningful insights coming your way. Just a star rating or a sentence or two makes a big difference. Thanks for listening!  If this show has been useful or thought-provoking for you, please do us a favor and help other people discover the show by leaving a rating and review on your favorite podcast player.To leave a review on Apple Podcasts: search for The Design Psychologist, tap the show, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and hit “Write a Review.”