Dark Patterns Symbiosis Bright Patterns
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Trick Questions

Trick Questions subvert the user’s expectation that prompts will be written in a straightforward and intelligible manner, instead using confusing wording, double negatives, or otherwise leading language or interface cues to manipulate a user’s choice.
Trick Questions
Illustration

Interaction Contexts

  • checkout
  • consent

Harmed Goals

  • comprehension
  • control

Symbiosis

Bright alternatives to this dark pattern

  • Unambiguous Choices
    Design options with simple, clear language so users know exactly what each action will do.
    View pair →
  • Simple Consent
    Provides clear, unambiguous consent mechanisms for data collection and use.
    View pair →

Examples

Evotech

Source
The user has a choice between "Get Discount" and "No, thank you. I'm happy to pay more"
The user has a choice between "Get Discount" and "No, thank you. I'm happy to pay more"

Selfmade Example

The user is pressured into singing up by saying that the user will waste money if missing out
The user is pressured into singing up by saying that the user will waste money if missing out

Sources

Dark Pattern Ontology adapted from Gray et al. (CHI ’24)

Direct
Inferred

Pattern Levels

High-Level Patterns Strategy Domain & Context Diagnostic (abstract)

High-level patterns include general strategies that can be employed through a range of modalities and technologies and application types

Meso-Level Patterns Angle of Attack Domain & Context Diagnostic (interpretable)

Meso-level patterns describe a context-agnostic angle of attack and may be interpreted in relation to context based on the specific modality or application type

Low-Level Patterns Means of Execution Domain & Context Specific (situated)

Low-level patterns are situated and contextually dependent, including specific means of execution

Diagram: High (strategy, diagnostic), Meso (angle of attack, still diagnostic), Low (means of execution, context specific). Integrated textual descriptions appear within each layer.

Source not found.
Paul Bertram 2026
Impressum Datenschutz

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Sources

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Pattern Levels

High-Level Patterns Strategy Domain & Context Diagnostic (abstract)

High-level patterns include general strategies that can be employed through a range of modalities and technologies and application types

Meso-Level Patterns Angle of Attack Domain & Context Diagnostic (interpretable)

Meso-level patterns describe a context-agnostic angle of attack and may be interpreted in relation to context based on the specific modality or application type

Low-Level Patterns Means of Execution Domain & Context Specific (situated)

Low-level patterns are situated and contextually dependent, including specific means of execution

Diagram: High (strategy, diagnostic), Meso (angle of attack, still diagnostic), Low (means of execution, context specific). Integrated textual descriptions appear within each layer.