Soovititus

Soovititus is a theoretical construct used in cognitive science and human–computer interaction to describe the propensity of a person or an artificial agent to follow externally supplied recommendations when making decisions. The concept encompasses both the decision to accept a suggested course of action and the conditions under which a person resists such suggestions. Soovititus is considered a scalar tendency, often quantified by the Soovititus Index, which combines response choice, reaction time, and confidence ratings in experiments involving explicit recommendations.

The term emerged in scholarly discourse in the mid-2010s as researchers sought to model how people balance intrinsic goals with external advice in everyday tasks and in interactions with algorithmic systems. The Soovititus framework distinguishes between passive following, where a recommendation is adopted with minimal counter-evidence, and strategic skepticism, where recommendations are weighed against current preferences or goals.

Applications of the Soovititus concept span education, marketing, and human–computer interaction. In educational settings, understanding Soovititus can help tailor feedback to students. In interface design and AI systems, measuring Soovititus can guide the presentation of recommendations to improve trust and compliance while preserving autonomy.

Critics warn that the construct can oversimplify the complexity of social influence and can be sensitive to cultural and contextual factors. There is ongoing work to standardize measurement, validate cross-cultural applicability, and distinguish genuine belief in advice from compliance or habit.

See also: social influence, nudging, recommendation systems, decision-making.