No. #86

Declinism
- Belief in the Decline of Society

Declinism is the belief that society is in decline, which can influence how users perceive the world and interact with products designed to solve societal problems. This bias can affect the marketing and adoption of products aimed at improvement or progress.

Read more on Wikipedia

Product example

Users may be skeptical of a new sustainability app’s impact, believing that environmental decline is inevitable.

Empathy tips

1

Counteract with Positive Data

Present data and stories that counteract declinism and highlight positive change.

2

Focus on Individual Impact

Emphasize the individual’s ability to make a difference through product use.

3

Community Success Stories

Share success stories from the community to inspire action and hope.

4

Educational Content

Provide educational content on historical progress and the potential for positive impact.

Need an empathic partner?

Anna Lundqvist portrait
Anna Lundqvist
UX & AI ethics expert driving better products and smarter teams.
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Eddy Salzmann
Design lead crafting seamless products and mentoring design teams.
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Ola Möller
Facilitator helping organisations see the big picture and take action.