No. #82

Rosy Retrospection
- Viewing the Past Favorably

Rosy retrospection is the tendency to rate past events more positively than at the time of the experience, affecting how products or services are remembered and evaluated over time.

Read more on Wikipedia

Product example

Users may remember an older version of a product more fondly than warranted, affecting satisfaction with current versions.

Empathy tips

1

Contrast with Current Data

Present current data or features alongside user reminiscences to provide a balanced view.

2

Highlight Improvements

Regularly highlight improvements and updates since past versions.

3

User Journey Documentation

Encourage users to document their journey with the product for more accurate recollection.

4

Manage Expectations

Manage expectations by communicating ongoing improvements and addressing nostalgia in product messaging.

Need an empathic partner?

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