Choices under manipulation: Cognitive processes and behavioral biases of older adults under perceived exposure to dark patterns in online shopping.

With the convergence of population aging and digitalization, more older adults are engaged in online shopping. However, the prevalence of dark patterns on digital platforms is associated with unintended consumption behaviors. Guided by the Extended Stimulus-Organism-Response (E-S-O-R) model, this study developed an integrative framework incorporating three mediators-cognitive overload, decision fatigue, and trust bias-and examined the moderating role of digital literacy. A cross-sectional self-report survey of 408 older adults aged 60 and above with exposure to online shopping environments was conducted, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied for path and mediation analyses; dark patterns were operationalized as perceived exposure to selected transaction-related manipulative interface tactics.