Psychology & Human Behaviour · Internship Role
BEHAVIOURAL RESEARCH
Identify dark patterns and design better security nudges, applying behavioural science to help people make safer choices.
SKILLS YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH
Behavioural economicsDark pattern analysisNudge design (EAST)Experiment designEthics of persuasion
PROOF-OF-WORK TASKS8 TASKS
Start at Beginner and work up. Every task produces something real you can show: a report, a tool, a guide or a demo. Publish it on LinkedIn or GitHub as your proof of work.
B
Beginner
LEVEL 01
- 01Find 10 dark patterns in Indian apps or websites (hidden fees, confirmshaming, forced continuity), screenshot them, and classify each one.
- 02Explain 5 cognitive biases that scammers exploit, each with a real example.
- 03Redesign one dark pattern you found into an honest alternative, and explain the trade-off for the business.
I
Intermediate
LEVEL 02
- 01Design 5 security nudges using the EAST framework, for example to get people to turn on MFA.
- 02Run a small online experiment testing two nudges for one safe behaviour, and report the results honestly, including null results.
- 03Audit the sign-up and cancellation flows of 3 subscription apps against India's dark pattern guidelines, and score each one.
A
Advanced
LEVEL 03
- 01Write a research report on dark patterns in Indian fintech or edtech apps, with a dataset, a classification, and policy recommendations.
- 02Build a nudge playbook for security teams: 15 evidence-based nudges, when to use each, and their ethical limits.
HAND-PICKED FREE RESOURCES5 RESOURCES
ARTICLE GUIDE
Deceptive Design
The definitive catalogue of dark patterns, with a hall of shame.
VISIT RESOURCE
ARTICLE GUIDE
The Decision Lab
Free explainers on biases, heuristics and behavioural interventions.
VISIT RESOURCE
ARTICLE GUIDE
EAST Framework (Behavioural Insights Team)
Make it Easy, Attractive, Social and Timely: the classic nudge toolkit.
VISIT RESOURCE
ARTICLE GUIDE
Laws of UX
Psychology principles behind good interfaces, explained with examples.
VISIT RESOURCE
ARTICLE GUIDE
Center for Humane Technology
Research on persuasive technology and its effects on people.
VISIT RESOURCE