Chapter 1
How buy now pay later swept the world
Chapter 2
Global traditions of paying over time
Chapter 3
The psychology of frictionless checkout
Chapter 4
Navigating the debt trap safely
YOUR GOAL
Master of The rise of buy now pay later
Ch 3 · The psychology of frictionless checkout
diego Frictionless Checkout Psychology
Four small payments and the brain goes quiet, sliding right past the pain of paying.
diego Modern lenders use instant algorithms to assess your creditworthiness without lowering your credit score.
diego Shopping apps use countdown timers and pre-selected options to nudge users into quick purchases.
Fun Fact
Brain pain: Neuroscientists found that the brain's pain center lights up more when paying with cash than with cards.
Glossary
pain of paying (noun)
The psychological discomfort or negative emotion experienced by a consumer when spending money. Lenders like Klarna minimize this negative sensation to boost average checkout values by fifty percent.
The psychological discomfort or negative emotion experienced by a consumer when spending money. Lenders like Klarna minimize this negative sensation to boost average checkout values by fifty percent.
Quiz
What is the term for manipulative digital design choices that nudge users into unwanted spending?
Quiz
According to a 2022 US CFPB report, what percentage of some BNPL revenues comes from late fees?
Quiz
What is the typical range for a single late fee charged by buy now pay later providers?
Quiz
According to a 2007 MIT study, what brain region is activated when spending physical cash?
Quiz
How long does a typical buy now pay later algorithm take to approve a soft credit check?