Skip to main content

Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getcore.me/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

Goal: Apply psychological principles and mental models to understand customer behavior and create more effective marketing.

​
Tools Required

This skill runs using CORE memory only. No integrations required.

​
Trigger

Run on demand when the user wants to understand or leverage psychological principles in marketing.

​
Setup

Search memory for:
  • “What’s the customer’s main objection?”
  • “What decisions are they struggling with?”
  • “What mental model applies here?”
If nothing found, ask once:
“What specific marketing challenge are you trying to solve with psychology? (e.g., low conversion rate, price objection, decision paralysis)”
Store the response in memory. Do not ask again in future runs.

​
Step 1: Identify the Core Problem

Map the user’s challenge to relevant psychological models:
  • Low conversions: Hick’s Law, Activation Energy, BJ Fogg, Friction
  • Price objections: Anchoring, Framing, Mental Accounting, Loss Aversion
  • Building trust: Authority, Social Proof, Reciprocity, Pratfall Effect
  • Increasing urgency: Scarcity, Loss Aversion, Zeigarnik Effect
  • Retention/churn: Endowment Effect, Switching Costs, Status-Quo Bias
  • Decision paralysis: Paradox of Choice, Default Effect, Nudge Theory
  • Onboarding: Goal-Gradient, IKEA Effect, Commitment & Consistency

​
Step 2: Explain the Underlying Psychology

For the relevant models, explain:
  • What the principle is
  • Why humans respond this way
  • How it applies to their situation
  • Specific implementation ideas
Example for Anchoring Effect:
  • The principle: The first number people see heavily influences subsequent judgments
  • Why it works: People use anchors as reference points; adjustments from the anchor are usually insufficient
  • Your situation: You’re showing competitors’ pricing first, anchoring expectations upward
  • Implementation: Show your higher enterprise tier first to anchor, then reveal affordable starter plan as the “deal”

​
Step 3: Apply to Specific Marketing Elements

Choose which element to optimize: Pricing pages: Use anchoring, framing, decoy effect Copy: Use loss aversion, social proof, specificity CTAs: Use loss aversion, scarcity, commitment principle Forms: Use activation energy reduction, Hick’s Law (fewer fields) Popups: Use Zeigarnik effect, scarcity, exit intent timing

​
Step 4: Recommend Psychological Tactics

Based on the model, recommend specific changes: If Paradox of Choice → Reduce from 5 pricing tiers to 3; mark one as “recommended” If Loss Aversion → Frame as “Don’t miss out on [benefit]” instead of “You could gain [benefit]” If Scarcity → Add limited-time offer or “X spots remaining”; must be genuine If Social Proof → Add customer logos, testimonials with photos, “10,000+ use this” If Authority → Feature expert endorsements, certifications, founder credibility If Status-Quo Bias → Reduce switching friction; “Import in one click,” “No setup required”

​
Step 5: Layer Multiple Models

The most effective marketing combines several models: Example funnel:
  1. Mere Exposure: Consistent brand presence (familiarity breeds liking)
  2. Social Proof: Case studies and logos (popularity signals quality)
  3. Framing: Positive outcome emphasis (frame positively, not negatively)
  4. Loss Aversion: Address what they’ll miss (loss hurts more than gain feels good)
  5. Default Effect: Pre-select the recommended plan (defaults are powerful)
  6. Scarcity: “Limited spots” if genuine (creates urgency)
  7. Reciprocity: Free trial or free resource first (people want to return favors)

​
Step 6: Test and Measure

Recommend A/B tests for psychological hypotheses:
  • Test anchoring: Show high price first vs. low price first
  • Test framing: “1/day"vs."1/day" vs. "30/month” (same price, different frame)
  • Test social proof: Page with testimonials vs. without
  • Test choice reduction: 5 options vs. 3 options
  • Test default effect: Recommended tier highlighted vs. neutral
Measure conversion rate, average order value, completion time.

​
Output Format

Psychology-Driven Marketing Plan — [Challenge/Page] Core Problem
  • Challenge: [What’s not working]
  • Symptom: [How it manifests]
  • Root cause: [Why it’s happening]
Relevant Mental Models
  • Model 1: [Name + brief explanation]
  • Model 2: [Name + brief explanation]
  • Model 3: [Name + brief explanation]
Recommended Changes
  1. [Change]: Applies [model name] → Expected impact [metric]
  2. [Change]: Applies [model name] → Expected impact [metric]
  3. [Change]: Applies [model name] → Expected impact [metric]
Tactical Implementation
  • Copy change: [Specific rewrite using psychology]
  • Design change: [Visual or interaction change]
  • Structural change: [Reordering or simplification]
A/B Test Ideas
  • Test [psychological hypothesis] by comparing [Option A] vs. [Option B]
  • Metric: [What to measure]
  • Expected winner: [Which applies psychology better]

​
Edge Cases

  • Cultural differences: Models are Western-biased → Validate for your audience’s culture
  • Industry norms override psychology: Some industries have strong conventions → Work within them, not against
  • Ethical concerns: Psychological manipulation feels manipulative → Apply ethics; dark patterns backfire
  • Audience skepticism: Sophisticated audiences resist obvious tactics → Use subtle, authentic application
  • Multiple objectives: Psychological levers can conflict → Choose primary goal first
  • Measurement limitations: Hard to prove causation → Run proper A/B tests, not guessing