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Seductive Details Behind Hyperlinks—Harmful or Helpful for Learning?

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Title: Seductive Details Behind Hyperlinks—Harmful or Helpful for Learning?
Authors: Bender, Lisa (AUTHOR), Renkl, Alexander (AUTHOR), Scheiter, Katharina (AUTHOR), Richter, Juliane (AUTHOR), Eitel, Alexander (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. Apr2026, Vol. 42 Issue 2, p1-20. 20p.
Subjects: Research funding, Self-control, Attention, Online education, Multimedia systems, Analysis of variance, Memory, Learning strategies, Affect (Psychology), Data analysis software, Cognition
Abstract: Background: According to the seductive‐details effect, practitioners should avoid interesting but irrelevant adjuncts (e.g., fun facts, comics) in learning materials as they might increase extraneous cognitive load and thus hamper learning. As the digitalisation of learning continues to increase, the question arises as to whether this recommendation also applies to interesting but irrelevant hyperlinks that are often included in online materials. Objectives: We investigated whether students perceive and use seductive details that appear behind hyperlinks differently compared to seductive details that are integrated in the learning material directly on the screen. We were assuming that students would (a) perceive hyperlink seductive details as less relevant than integrated seductive details and thus not be negatively affected in their cognitive processing (i.e., informed use of seductive details) and (b) use hyperlink seductive details to take a small break or for gratification, thereby supporting them in their persistent online learning (i.e., needs‐oriented use of seductive details). Methods: In a 3 × 2‐between‐subjects study, participants (N = 165) worked online on a learning unit about chemistry models without seductive details or with them, either with explicit information about their irrelevance for the learning goal or without such explicit information. Moreover, we presented the details integrated in the learning material or as mouse‐over hyperlinks. Results and Conclusion: Although students perceived hyperlink seductive details as less relevant than integrated details, their learning outcomes were still impaired when they did not receive an additional explicit irrelevance instruction. Hence, our study reveals no evidence that students use seductive details via hyperlinks differently from integrated ones, but instead that seductive details via hyperlinks should also be avoided. Lay Summary: What Is Already Known About This Topic?: Interesting but irrelevant adjuncts in learning material (i.e., seductive details) hamper rather than help learning.However, detrimental effects can be avoided when students are pre‐informed about the details' irrelevance for the learning goal.Less is known about how interesting but irrelevant hyperlinks in digital learning environments affect learning. What This Paper Adds?: In contrast to classical on‐screen seductive details, mouse‐over hyperlinks containing interesting but irrelevant information are perceived as less relevant, even when students are not informed about their irrelevance.However, the hyperlink seductive details still harm learning.Explicit irrelevance information is necessary to prevent negative effects on learning outcomes. Implications for Practice?: If possible, practitioners should avoid using seductive details in their (digital) learning material—also as hyperlinks.When irrelevant hyperlinks cannot be removed from a learning material, practitioners should inform learners about their irrelevance for the learning goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:Background: According to the seductive‐details effect, practitioners should avoid interesting but irrelevant adjuncts (e.g., fun facts, comics) in learning materials as they might increase extraneous cognitive load and thus hamper learning. As the digitalisation of learning continues to increase, the question arises as to whether this recommendation also applies to interesting but irrelevant hyperlinks that are often included in online materials. Objectives: We investigated whether students perceive and use seductive details that appear behind hyperlinks differently compared to seductive details that are integrated in the learning material directly on the screen. We were assuming that students would (a) perceive hyperlink seductive details as less relevant than integrated seductive details and thus not be negatively affected in their cognitive processing (i.e., informed use of seductive details) and (b) use hyperlink seductive details to take a small break or for gratification, thereby supporting them in their persistent online learning (i.e., needs‐oriented use of seductive details). Methods: In a 3 × 2‐between‐subjects study, participants (N = 165) worked online on a learning unit about chemistry models without seductive details or with them, either with explicit information about their irrelevance for the learning goal or without such explicit information. Moreover, we presented the details integrated in the learning material or as mouse‐over hyperlinks. Results and Conclusion: Although students perceived hyperlink seductive details as less relevant than integrated details, their learning outcomes were still impaired when they did not receive an additional explicit irrelevance instruction. Hence, our study reveals no evidence that students use seductive details via hyperlinks differently from integrated ones, but instead that seductive details via hyperlinks should also be avoided. Lay Summary: What Is Already Known About This Topic?: Interesting but irrelevant adjuncts in learning material (i.e., seductive details) hamper rather than help learning.However, detrimental effects can be avoided when students are pre‐informed about the details' irrelevance for the learning goal.Less is known about how interesting but irrelevant hyperlinks in digital learning environments affect learning. What This Paper Adds?: In contrast to classical on‐screen seductive details, mouse‐over hyperlinks containing interesting but irrelevant information are perceived as less relevant, even when students are not informed about their irrelevance.However, the hyperlink seductive details still harm learning.Explicit irrelevance information is necessary to prevent negative effects on learning outcomes. Implications for Practice?: If possible, practitioners should avoid using seductive details in their (digital) learning material—also as hyperlinks.When irrelevant hyperlinks cannot be removed from a learning material, practitioners should inform learners about their irrelevance for the learning goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:02664909
DOI:10.1002/jcal.70205