Glossary

The words behind the science of the scroll, in plain English.

Doomscrolling

Scrolling through a feed long past the point of enjoying it, often while feeling worse. Read more

Infinite scroll

A feed with no natural end, so continuing takes no decision but stopping does. Read more

Variable reward

A reward that arrives unpredictably, like a great post every few swipes. It keeps behavior going strongly. Read more

Dopamine

A brain chemical involved in motivation, anticipation and learning what to expect, more than pleasure itself. Read more

Reward prediction error

The gap between the reward you expected and the one you got; dopamine signals it, which drives learning. Read more

Wanting vs liking

Separate brain systems for craving something and enjoying it, which is why you can keep scrolling without enjoying it. Read more

Dopamine detox

A popular idea, not a clinical treatment: cutting back on stimulating activities to reset motivation. Read more

Habit loop

Cue, routine and reward: a behavior repeated in a context until it runs on autopilot. Read more

Cue

The trigger for a habit, like boredom, a notification or picking up your phone in bed. Read more

Friction

Anything that makes a behavior slightly harder, like a lock or a delay. Small amounts change habits. Read more

Implementation intention

An if-then plan ("If I reach for my phone in bed, then I put it on the charger") that makes follow-through more likely. Read more

Precommitment

Deciding in advance and making it binding, so in-the-moment you can't easily change your mind. Read more

Commitment device

A tool that enforces a precommitment, like a lock you can only open by meeting a condition. Read more

Temptation bundling

Pairing something you want with something you should do, like scroll time you earn with exercise. Read more

App blocker

An app that limits access to other apps or websites, by time, schedule or condition. Read more

Screen Time (Apple)

Apple's built-in tools for seeing and limiting phone use, which Doomreps uses to lock apps privately. Read more

Bedtime procrastination

Going to bed later than you intended for no outside reason, often while on your phone. Read more

Chronotype

Your natural timing preference: some people run early, others late. Read more

The mismatch between your body clock and your schedule, like sleeping much later on weekends. Read more

Earned minutes

In Doomreps: minutes you earned with reps, steps or workouts, kept until you spend them. Read more

Free today

In Doomreps: free minutes you choose to get each day (0, 15 or 30). They reset at 4 a.m. and don't carry over. Read more

Borrowing

In Doomreps: taking 15 minutes now when you can't do reps, paid back from your next earnings. Read more

Emergency unlock

In Doomreps: a few short unlocks a week that need no minutes, for real emergencies. Read more

Rep

One full repetition of an exercise, like down and up in a push-up. In Doomreps, each rep flaps the bird. Read more