Stickiness and Retention Span in HCI

This paper investigates how judgment and decision-making processes, as studied in PSY 473 course, influence stickiness and user retention in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Drawing on insights from cognitive and behavioral economics, such as prospect theory, the sunk cost fallacy, affective forecasting, empathy gaps, and probability misjudgments, this study explores why users repeatedly engage with certain apps and platforms. It also incorporates frameworks from career decision-making models, cognitive styles, automatic behaviors, and social norms to illuminate the mechanisms that drive long-term engagement. Empirical research from over-the top (OTT) streaming services, online visual art platforms, and social media is used to illustrate practical implications for ethical, user-centered HCI design. The findings suggest that a nuanced understanding of cognitive biases, emotional decision-making, and retrospective evaluations can inform app design strategies that both enhance engagement and promote user well-being.