Cognitive Biases in the Estimation of the Interface Updates: Facebook Users’ Case

The term “baby duck syndrome” is used to refer to the phenomenon when the user compares each new computer system with the one, he or she originally studied. It is assumed that the user, according to the results of this comparison, prefers exactly the type of interface with which they interacted for the first time. This hypothesis was tested on the case of a major Facebook update in 2020, when the design of the social network was significantly changed. The study involves 201 participants from 18 to 59 years old. First, the subjects described frequency and duration of using Facebook. Then they subsequently evaluate interface versions (108 people first evaluated the old version, others - the new). At the end, the participants answer the question which version they prefer and why. The data obtained reveal significant differences for the estimates of the old version depending on the frequency of use (but not to the new). Regarding the duration of use, no significant differences are found. In addition, the estimates of the new interface, depending on the type of presentation of the survey, differ significantly. Based on the results, it can be assumed that the frequency of use predominantly affects the evaluation of interface updates.