A new study found that orienting products toward a dominant hand in ads increases imagined product use and purchase intentions, especially for positive products. The researchers created advertisements with handles oriented towards the right or left to test this effect.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research reveals that people who share sensory experiences, such as enjoying a cupcake, tend to dampen their emotions and are less likely to spread word-of-mouth opinions about them. In contrast, sharing practical experiences, like using a USB stick, increases understanding and enthusiasm.
A study found that consumers associate larger food sizes with higher status, particularly among vulnerable populations. However, when given smaller options at prestigious events, powerless individuals chose smaller items with fewer calories.
Ancient structures at Göbekli Tepe in Turkey were initially thought to be the world's oldest temples, but an archaeologist argues they may have been large communal houses instead. The presence of art and decoration does not necessarily mean the buildings were exclusively religious spaces.
A study published in the American Journal of Sociology found that individuals lacking personal wealth are significantly less likely to enter into a first marriage. The research suggests that wealth plays an important role in marriage decisions, with owning a car increasing the probability of getting married by 2.6 percentage points.
A study published in Journal of Political Economy finds that a population-centered approach to counterinsurgency in Iraq is effective in reducing violent attacks. The study analyzed nearly $3 billion in spending on small local projects like digging wells and paving roads, which were shown to reduce violence.
A new study by András Tilcsik found that employers are 40% less likely to grant an interview to openly gay men compared to their heterosexual counterparts. The study, which analyzed over 1,700 job openings, revealed significant barriers in the hiring process for gay applicants.
A study by Cornell economist Michael Lovenheim finds a strong correlation between home prices and college attendance. The housing boom led to increased college enrollment nationwide, with the effect being particularly strong among middle and lower-income families.
A recent study by Carlos J. Torelli and Rohini Ahluwalia found that consumers react positively to brand extensions when products match cultural expectations, but unfavorably when they don't. The authors suggest that understanding a brand's cultural symbolism is crucial for harnessing its potential profitably.
A new study found that people salivate in response to material rewards, including money and high-end sports cars. The researchers discovered that this phenomenon occurs when individuals have a strong desire for these items, often driven by a sense of power or goal achievement.
A recent study by University of Chicago Press Journals found that political debate can sometimes decrease the impact of subsequent ads. Researchers discovered that inducing supportive elaborations increased ad effectiveness, while counterarguing mindset decreased it. This suggests context plays a significant role in advertising efficacy
A new study by Keisha Cutright found that consumers who feel a lack of control over their lives seek tangible boundaries to restore order and structure. This includes aesthetic elements like frames around paintings or fences around yards, which provide a sense of comfort and control.
A new study found that money reminders lead consumers to react against people who influence their decisions, boosting the importance of autonomy. Participants in three studies reacted oppositely when reminded of money compared to those not reminded, with money-reminded consumers responding more strongly to social influences
A new study reveals that consumers are influenced by people with lower socioeconomic status, particularly when they aspire to a desirable trait. The 'low status user effect' suggests that observing a person from a lower status group using a product can lead to interest and emulation among higher-status individuals.
Two studies cast doubt on whether sex offender registries work as intended, finding that registration requirements reduce reported sex crime by up to 13%, but public notification may actually increase recidivism. A third study finds no evidence that sex offender registries are effective in increasing public safety.
A large study found substantial delays in early neurological development among babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy. Poor families were particularly vulnerable to the effects of prenatal smoking, which may be stronger than previously thought. The study's findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to reduce pre...
A new study found that consumers with low body esteem are influenced by the consumption behaviors of others, including attractive salespeople and fellow shoppers. The researchers also suggest retailers design store layouts to minimize self-esteem impacting moments for customers trying on clothes.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research introduces a model capturing the process of goal revision. Consumers tend to set and revise goals, with adjustments influenced by factors such as motivation, external pressures, and previous achievements.
A new study found that fast disclaimers can harm purchase intentions for unknown or distrusted brands, while trusted brands can use them without issue. Advertisers promoting trusted brands may save time by using fast disclaimers, but regulators need to consider the impact on consumer trust and advertising policies.
A new study explores how class differences impact customer-hospitality worker interactions, revealing a game of status where customers reenact their dominance over workers. The research finds that service workers are not powerless, as they also have interdependent roles in the interaction.
Consumers tend to prefer harder-to-get items and products due to perceived value, even if they require more effort. Researchers found that people prioritize outcomes associated with effort, leading them to favor elusive or hard-to-find options.
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that professional buyers do not engage in 'relationships' with salespeople. Buyers prioritize transactions and expect low expectations for future interactions. This challenges traditional marketing strategies focused on building personal bonds with customers.
A new study reveals that states considering in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants are more likely to have a large foreign-born population and higher relative unemployment. States with female legislators who favor civil liberties policies also tend to consider tuition bills.
A new study by Danit Ein-Gar, Baba Shiv, and Zakary L. Tormala found that receiving minor negative information after a series of positive reviews can accentuate the positive impression, especially under low thought conditions.
A field study found that diners with large forks ate less than those with small forks due to the need to visually track their progress. The authors suggest consumers learn to better understand hunger cues to avoid overeating.
Up to 60% of consumers may reject the second-best option and choose a lower-rated item when given a choice between two close options. This phenomenon is known as the carryover effect, where attributes that were initially important become less relevant in subsequent decisions.
A study found that luxury brands associated with self-enhancement concepts can cause consumers to feel a sense of disfluency when receiving social responsibility messages. In contrast, brands associated with openness or conservation concepts tend to have less conflict and experience more positive reactions to CSR initiatives.
Consumers in a positive mood make quicker and more consistent judgments than unhappy people. Positive affect conditions lead to faster response times and more consistent evaluations.
A study found that consumers prefer Chinese chocolate over Swiss when informed about its origin after tasting, contrary to expectations. The preference reversed when participants were told the country of origin before consuming the chocolate, suggesting a strong association between Switzerland and high-quality chocolate.
A new study suggests that a woman's employment status does not affect the likelihood of her husband initiating divorce. However, for men, being unemployed significantly increases their chance of leaving the marriage, even if they are relatively happy. This asymmetric change in traditional gender roles implies that societal norms view a...
A recent study published in the Journal of Labor Economics found that informal daycare can significantly reduce a child's test scores by up to 2.6 percent per year compared to staying with their mother. In contrast, formal preschool programs or licensed daycare centers have little to no negative effect on cognitive development.
Consumers recall ads better when they think about the groups they belong to. The study found that thinking about group membership influences memory for advertising by unconsciously connecting new information to existing group associations.
A new study found that strongly identifying with an organization enhances personal and economic lives. Consumers integrate organizational values into their behaviors, leading to life-changing experiences.
A new study suggests that magical thinking can help consumers cope with the stress of trying to lose weight by invoking mystical forces. Consumers often describe weight loss as being influenced by mysterious forces, such as a body that 'conspires' against them or food that 'seduces' them.
A new study suggests that unhappy consumers are more likely to crave tactile experiences, such as hugging a teddy bear, to alleviate negative emotions. This is because their brain systems mimic those of mammals, which prioritize comfort and security in times of stress.
Researchers found that consumers strongly react against mimicry by similar others, leading to avoidance behaviors such as re-customizing or exchanging products. This effect is driven by consumer desire for distinctiveness and uniqueness.
A comprehensive analysis of human geophagy reveals that eating dirt is a widespread behavior that provides protection against intestinal parasites and pathogens. The study found that people are more likely to consume earth during vulnerable life stages or in environments with high levels of foodborne microbes.
Researchers discovered a 40-meter trench containing iron oxide extracted by the Huentelauquen people 12,000 years ago. The site indicates complex cultural practices and transmission of knowledge through generations.
A 440-year-old document reveals that the Andean population in Peru bounced back briefly after initial Spanish invasion but declined due to repeated disasters, rigid administration and epidemic disease. The census data challenges long-held assumptions about indigenous population decline in the Americas.
A study found that expanded use of electronic medical records would substantially reduce infant mortality in the U.S., saving approximately 16 babies for every 100,000 live births. A complete national transition to electronic records would save an estimated 6,400 infants each year.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research reveals that people often misjudge how experience duration affects emotional responses. Unlike good experiences where knowing the end date enhances enjoyment, bad experiences become more aversive when their duration is anticipated.
Innovative ads can induce consumers to think more creatively, altering the way they process unrelated ads. Researchers found that creative stimuli reverse typical persuasion patterns, with abstract thinkers responding better to concrete claims.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research examines how consumers consider opportunity costs when making purchases. Feeling constrained can actually lead to better decision-making as consumers weigh the benefits and trade-offs of a purchase. By balancing consideration of foregone options, consumers can make more satisfactory choices.
Researchers found that vivid ads can create false memories of product experience, leading to strong attitudes and confidence. Decreasing brand familiarity and shortening the time between viewing the ad and reporting evaluations reduced the false memories in participants.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research finds that consumers who set conservative goals tend to be less satisfied with their achievements, even when they meet their targets. People who believe their skills can be improved through practice are more satisfied with relatively low performance levels.
A study found that consumers take on debt despite believing they should limit it, citing financial independence and social pressure as reasons. The researchers also discovered that credit use was viewed as essential for middle-class Americans to achieve basic necessities.
A Planet of Viruses delves into the world of viruses, revealing how they've shaped the evolution of life and continue to pose a threat to human health. The book also discusses innovative ways to harness viruses for medical breakthroughs.
Giant hummingbirds use more energy for their body size than smaller hummingbirds do, but still below the upper metabolic limit. Asexual fish hybrids have lower physiological performance, possibly due to increased reproductive advantage over sexual dace. Small sea birds hold heat rather than increasing metabolism
A study found significant differences in math curricula across US states and school districts, placing some students at a disadvantage. The research, published in the American Journal of Education, suggests that less demanding curricula can lead to poor outcomes despite controlling for socio-economic status.
A study of movie star marriages found that similar educational backgrounds are a common trait among married actors, despite no correlation with success. This suggests that non-financial partner traits correlated with education play a significant role in mate selection, contradicting theories on income and social factors.