Designing for instant feedback: The Doherty Threshold in UX

The Doherty Threshold, introduced by Walter J. Doherty and Ahrvind J. Thadani in 1982, posits that a system response time of 400 milliseconds or less is crucial for maintaining user engagement and productivity, as it aligns with the human attention span and minimizes interruptions. In UX design, adhering to this threshold is vital for creating seamless digital experiences, where the perception of speed is as important as actual speed. Strategies to implement the Doherty Threshold include optimizing perceived performance through microinteractions and skeleton screens, streamlining user flows, and ensuring system responsiveness despite challenges like processing power and network speed. Real-world applications of this principle are evident in services like Google Search's predictive loading and TikTok's instant video playback, which enhance user experience by making interactions feel instantaneous. The Doherty Threshold emphasizes that quick feedback maintains user control and engagement, and tools like LogRocket can assist designers in understanding user experiences to further optimize digital interfaces.