Remote workers and students who struggle with procrastination could soon get an uncomfortable vibration on their wrist to warn them that they have drifted away from their work, thanks to a device created by a productivity technology startup. Vibrating someone's wrist for browsing social media might sound intrusive, but the company behind the idea claims many users are desperate to curb their digital distractions. The "vibe" comes from a smart band worn by the user which links to a browser extension tracking screen activity. However, a privacy advocate stressed that employers should never force employees to adopt these devices.
The designers of the digital tool said they were answering a demand. They pointed out that infinite scroll features on apps have made it increasingly difficult for users to self-regulate, raising the risk of missed deadlines. The company's research found that two in three young professionals felt "powerless against digital distractions" during working hours. It also revealed that only a quarter of students felt standard, silent planning apps provided enough active feedback to keep them on track. The director of the startup claimed that “users can now retrain their focus and regain control over their workflow easily.”
Adapted from an article on digital habits and productivity (2021)
Outline the behaviourist perspective in psychology and briefly explain how it applies to this article.
