An Overview . . .

I split my time between Stanford University and industry innovation.

At my Stanford lab, the Persuasive Technology Lab, we're focused on mobile persuasion, the psychology of Facebook, persuading with online video, and peace innovation. See my Stanford page for more info.

In industry I help good organizations use tech and new media to influence people. In general, I leverage what I learn at Stanford to achieve client goals in industry. It's a great time to be a psychologist who investigates how tech persuades people. You can see my innovation page for topics of expertise. My “how I help” page describes how to engage with me on projects.

Fortune Magazine recently listed me as one of “10 New Gurus You Should Know.” (Yes, that’s me in lotus position.) I’m sure many people deserve guru status more than I do, but I appreciate the nod . . . so thanks, Fortune.

If you're interested in captology, check out my book: Persuasive Technology: Using Computers to Change What We Think and Do. But that's not all. Last year we launched a new book: Mobile Persuasion: 20 Perspectives on the Future of Behavior Change. Summary: Mobile phones will become the #1 platform for persuasion. The book explains why.

Below are links to three new paper about persuasive design, behavior change, and innovation methods:

http://bjfogg.com/design.html
http://bjfogg.com/fbm.html
http://bjfogg.com/fbg.html

bjfogg
As you read more of my work, you’ll see that I'm deep into investigating the psychology of Facebook. In Fall 2007 I taught a new Facebook course with Dave McClure. During the 10-week quarter, our students' projects persuaded more than 16 million people to install the apps they created. The secret? Psychology and metrics (and some really amazing students, of course). I recently taught another new course on what makes Facebook so persuasive. From that course we’re creating a new book: The Psychology of Facebook. My investigations into Facebook build on my lab’s previous research into how Web 2.0 companies motivate and persuade people.

I recently taught an experimental class of sorts: “Facebook for Parents.” Some people question the need for (and wisdom of) such a class. The parents who are enrolled are very appreciative. My sister and I will teach this class again in the near future.



I also co-edited a book on health technology, with Richard Adler. We brought together short chapters from experts on how to use SMS for improving health behavior. This book builds on a conference my lab created called “Texting4Health”

Perhaps the most ambitous work I'm doing these days is Peace Innovation. We’re not quite ready to announce or share much about this effort. But here’s a summary: The vision is to innovate persuasive technologies that can bring about world peace in 30 years. This is an ambitious vision, but I believe it is entirely possible. We finally have the tools and insights to start making world peace a reality. (By the way, we’ve found efforts to promote peace can get mixed reactions. But we’ll persist.)

convergence
My lab team and I keep a blog: Captology Notebook.

The other pages here explain more about my work. You’ll also get insight into my work by viewing this list of resources I’ve created.

BJ Fogg

site statistics