Principle of Least Astonishment
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
The design of system behavior should conform to the intuition and expectations of most users. If a design surprises users (no matter how cool it seems), it is usually bad design.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Follow intuition. In communication, product, or management, do not try to reinvent the wheel or challenge users' muscle memory. "Boring but usable" is always better than "novel but confusing".
Anchor fast decisions
Design/engineering principle (Principle of Least Surprise): System behavior should conform to user expectations and reduce surprises. The mechanism is to align with existing mental models and conventions.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/3Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_least_astonishmentverified
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