Persuasive Design: A Matter of Context Adaptation?

Within the field of Persuasive Technology it is widely acknowledged that successful persuasion is dependent on timing and the ability to act within the opportune moment known as Kairos. Kairos constitutes the link between the opportune moment and the appropriate action, all in consideration of the specific context. This paper argues that the claim of persuasive design may not be the ability to change the user’s attitude or behaviour towards a given subject, but rather on the ability to create designs, which adapt the context in a way, which facilitates the ability to act within the opportune moment.