Glossary entry

Dignity friction

Definition

Friction that preserves autonomy, such as double checks on irreversible actions and plain-language confirmation states. Dignity friction helps people understand consequences before commitment without shaming them for caution.

It differs from punitive friction because the cost is proportional to risk and paired with clear pathways forward.

AgencyTemporal

Hypothetical example

  • Before account deletion, the interface requires a brief confirmation with restore options and support contact details.

Related terms

Humane friction Appropriate friction Reversibility Interaction surface Safety valve Frictionless harm Decision edge Critical action

References

Cite this glossary entry · v1.17.1 · updated Oct 6, 2026 · CC BY-SA 4.0

APA

Ethotechnics Institute. (2026). Dignity friction. Ethotechnics glossary. https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/dignity-friction

MLA

Ethotechnics Institute. "Dignity friction." Ethotechnics glossary, 2026, https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/dignity-friction.

Chicago

Ethotechnics Institute. "Dignity friction." Ethotechnics glossary. Oct 6, 2026. https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/dignity-friction.

BibTeX

@misc{glossary_dignity-friction,
  title={Dignity friction},
  author={Ethotechnics Institute},
  year={2026},
  howpublished={Ethotechnics glossary},
  url={https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/dignity-friction},
  version={v1.17.1}
}

RIS

TY  - WEB
TI  - Dignity friction
AU  - Ethotechnics Institute
PY  - 2026
UR  - https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/dignity-friction
ER  -

Authorship

Contact: hello@ethotechnics.org

Publication details

  • Published: Dec 3, 2025
  • Last updated: Oct 6, 2026
  • Version: v1.17.1

License: CC BY-SA 4.0

Credit Ethotechnics Institute, include the term title and version, and link to the glossary permalink.

Archive: Wayback Machine history

Latest change

v1.17.1 · Oct 6, 2026 — Editorial revision. Titles are in sentence case. Pasted spec blocks are replaced with prose and worked examples, 79 operational tests are rewritten as pass conditions, 22 origin notes are rewritten or sourced, and unsourced superlatives are cut. No terms were added or removed, and permalinks are unchanged.

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