The Problem
Instant messaging now dominates friendships, replacing face-to-face chats and calls. Platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram make staying connected easy but create new expectations for quick replies. This constant immediacy often leads to anxiety, misunderstandings, and trust issues. Research shows that response speed affects relationship satisfaction.
From the survey responses, it was identified that, primarily two categories of people responded differently to questions, and their responses were indicative of variability in direct & indirect psychological impact of delayed replies. The categories are ↓
Now it's time for..
The card sorting
To better understand participants’ perceptions of texting behaviors, we conducted a card sorting activity. Participants were given common texting scenarios (e.g., delayed replies, consistent texting, sudden ghosting) and asked to: – Group them based on how they made them feel or react – Label each group in their own words – Explain why certain behaviors felt positive, negative, or neutral This revealed the subjective meanings, emotional triggers, and comfort zones tied to texting habits in digital communication.
To capture participants’ real-time thought processes while performing a task, revealing cognitive strategies and decision-making, we decided to do a..
Our survey suggested..
Then we conduct a
Cognitive Load Analysis
Objective: To Identify overload or underload & Come to clearer and more reasoned conclusions
When read receipts are turned off, the pressure to respond immediately is reduced, but the cognitive load doesn’t disappear, especially for users who care deeply about how they’re perceived (Category 1).
These individuals still experience high mental effort during steps like deciding whether to reply and second-guessing their drafts, often because of internal social expectations rather than system-driven urgency. For more task-oriented users (Category 2), the most taxing part is writing the message itself.
This shows that even in the absence of external cues like “seen,” delayed responses still come with a cognitive and emotional cost; one shaped more by individual psychology than app design.
When read receipts are turned off, the pressure to respond immediately is reduced, but the cognitive load doesn’t disappear, especially for users who care deeply about how they’re perceived (Category 1).
These individuals still experience high mental effort during steps like deciding whether to reply and second-guessing their drafts, often because of internal social expectations rather than system-driven urgency. For more task-oriented users (Category 2), the most taxing part is writing the message itself.
This shows that even in the absence of external cues like “seen,” delayed responses still come with a cognitive and emotional cost; one shaped more by individual psychology than app design.
This analysis highlights that delayed messaging isn’t just a logistical issue.. it carries a real cognitive and emotional weight, shaped by how individuals perceive social expectations.
Understanding these hidden mental processes is essential for designing more empathetic communication systems.. ones that support users not just in sending messages, but in navigating the psychological load of connection in a digital age.
That's it folks!
I appreciate you reading this :)
I'd be delighted to know what you think.
