Explore the world of captology, or "Computers As Persuasive Technologies," a multidisciplinary field studying how computing systems influence human behavior and attitudes.

Learn about the history of captology, tracing its origins to B.J. Fogg's work in the 1990s and its evolution with the rise of the internet and mobile technology.

Understand key concepts such as the Functional Triad (technology as a tool, medium, or social actor) and the Persuasive Systems Design (PSD) model.

Examine real-world applications of captology in diverse fields like health and wellness, personal finance (e.g., Quicken), education, environmental sustainability, and marketing.

Delve into the ethical considerations surrounding persuasive technology, including informed consent, user privacy, autonomy, and the potential for harm.

Discuss the future of captology, including the importance of ethical guidelines, the role of mobile devices and smart homes, and the need for ongoing research and public awareness.

Consider how computers have advantages over human persuaders because they are more persistent, allow anonymity, can store and manipulate huge volumes of data, use many modalities to influence, scale easily and can be ubiquitous.

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