Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

arrow_back_ios_new
MENTAL MODEL · M0878

Doherty Threshold

Doherty Threshold
BehaviormediumPsychology
Included
account_tree

Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

IBM research found that when the response time of human-computer interaction is less than 400 milliseconds, user productivity improves dramatically, not only making tasks faster but also creating an addictive sense of fluidity.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

- Performance as a feature: In system design, speed is not a nice-to-have but a core function. If loading exceeds 400ms, users' attention begins to wander and their train of thought breaks.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

The Doherty Threshold refers to the idea that users remain focused and do not switch tasks when the human-computer response is within about 400ms; beyond that, attention is lost. The mechanism is that response latency affects flow and efficiency.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/2

Practice this model in one real situation:

Check to track your progress (stored locally)
Learning progress0%
account_treeGenealogyexpand_more
menu_bookReferencesexpand_more

Source support: Explicit

  • link
    lawsofux.comhttps://lawsofux.com/doherty-threshold/ZH · Explicit
    verified

RELATED MODELS

Related model

The Mom Test

If you ask your mother whether your idea is good, concern for your feelings may encourage praise rather than useful feedback.

arrow_forwardRelated model

Tritone Paradox

A sequential pair of Shepard tones a tritone apart can sound ascending to some listeners and descending to others: an auditory illusion involving specific pitch stimuli.

arrow_forwardRelated model

Rational Irrationality

Caplan’s explanatory framework: people may relax truth-seeking standards when appealing beliefs bring psychological benefits and the private marginal benefit of correcting errors is low.

arrow_forward