A study found that shoppers are more likely to buy unhealthy foods when paying with credit or debit cards. The authors suggest this is due to the psychological pain of payment, which can curb impulsive behavior. This connection may be linked to the rising obesity epidemic in the US.
Researchers found that people spend more money on purchases for themselves when they feel powerful and less when powerless. However, those in high-power states tend to be happier when bidding for someone else, not themselves.
A new study found that beauty product ads lower female consumers' self-esteem by making them compare their attractiveness levels to the products. The study also showed that problem-solving products do not have this effect, suggesting a specific impact of beauty-enhancing products on consumer perception.
A new study found that people are willing to pay an envy premium for products they covet when motivated by benign envy. Malicious envy, on the other hand, leads to a desire to 'pull down' others, causing consumers to seek alternative products. This can result in increased sales of competing brands.
A recent study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that some people can't resist collecting new experiences, driving unusual consumption choices. Consumers view these activities and products as opportunities to build their 'experiential CV,' connecting to their desire to use time efficiently and productively.
New research suggests that massive volcanic eruptions led to the extinction of Neanderthals, causing a dramatic climate shift that devastated ecosystems. The study, published in Current Anthropology, proposes that the eruption cleared the way for modern humans to thrive in Europe and Asia.
Archaeologists Vance Holliday and David Meltzer argue that the Clovis comet impact hypothesis is not supported by archaeological evidence. They found no evidence of a sudden cooling of the climate or a post-impact gap in human occupation at Clovis sites.
A study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology found that doctors often prescribe antibiotics to patients with viral respiratory tract infections, despite the lack of clinical benefit. This overuse of antibiotics can contribute to the development of resistant bacterial strains.
A new study found that framing tasks involving self-control as 'fun' rather than an obligation increases regulatory success. Participants who perceived the task as enjoyable exerted more self-control and consumed less candy compared to those who saw it as a chore.
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that the order in which food items are considered affects people's calorie estimates. Researchers discovered that switching the order can significantly alter perceived calorie content, even when foods are dissimilar.
A new study by University of Maryland and Georgetown University researchers found that suggesting consumers will use a product frequently can reduce their interest in buying it. The study suggests that ads or customer reviews highlighting low usage frequency can backfire if consumers believe they won't be able to keep up with others.
A new study found that people who feel socially excluded are willing to engage in distasteful consumption, such as eating chicken feet or using illicit drugs, to fit into a group. Excluded individuals use consumption as a flexible and strategic way to commence new social relationships.
A new study reveals that people spend more when exposed to brands associated with saving money, but less when exposed to their slogans. The researchers found that participants who saw the Walmart slogan 'Save money. Live better.' were willing to spend $184 on average, compared to $94 for those who saw the brand name alone.
Researchers found that people tend to inherit tendencies such as choosing compromise options and avoiding extremes. Additionally, genetic factors seem to play a role in likings for specific products like chocolate, hybrid cars, and science fiction movies.
A new study found that the magnitude of loyalty reward programs affects consumers' perceptions of their progress. Smaller step-sizes elicit strikingly different reactions, with those closer to the reward feeling they have made more progress.
A new study in Journal of Consumer Research found that people are more satisfied with their experiences when they make personal choices, especially when the goal is pleasure. In contrast, when the goal is to achieve a higher-end consequence, there is no difference in satisfaction between those who choose and those who do not.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that ovulating women choose sexier fashion products when thinking about other attractive local women. This unconscious behavior is driven by a desire to outdo rivals and entice desirable mates.
A new study in Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers can demythologize their consumption practices to distance themselves from unfavorable labels. Consumers who identify with products like indie goods find ways to retain their tastes without being labeled as hipsters.
Early modern Ottoman coffeehouses offered patrons a space for transgressive pleasures, challenging state and religious authority. The establishments fostered the formation of a new consumer subject, resisting state prescriptions and constructing self-ethics.
Researchers found that cues influence disclosure levels, with unprofessional-looking sites encouraging more sharing of personal data. People are more willing to divulge sensitive information when presented with misleading or deceptive cues.
A recent study found that consumers strongly relate to underdog brands, identifying with their stories of struggle and perseverance. The authors' experiments showed that brand biographies highlighting external disadvantage and passion for overcoming adversity drive purchase interest.
A new study found that people tend to trust advice from advisors with disclosed conflicts of interest more than those without, leading to overestimation of property values. Despite the risks, transparency is still desirable when implemented correctly.
A study found that consumers are overconfident in their learning abilities for new tasks and tend to underestimate the time required to master them. This leads to a higher willingness to pay for products before trying them, as they anticipate needing more time to learn.
A new study found that concrete thinking increases consumer confidence, especially when making choices based on clear information, whereas abstract thinking leads to decreased confidence. The researchers tested this hypothesis in various product categories, including electronics and charitable giving.
A recent study found that data presented in frequency format elicits higher confidence and more accurate conclusions in consumers. In contrast, percentages appear easier for consumers to understand, but may lead to averaging errors. The results have practical implications for regulators trying to discourage smoking behavior.
A study found that consumers perceive products as more expensive when grouped with expensive items and less expensive when grouped with inexpensive ones. Marketers can help consumers form accurate perceptions of prices by encouraging a 'discriminating' mindset.
A study by William Kerr and William Lincoln found that highly skilled temporary immigrants increase U.S. patent applications without displacing native workers. The research used data from 1995 to 2008 and analyzed the impact of H-1B visa reforms on innovation.
A recent study by University of Minnesota researchers found that certain brands can influence consumers' perceptions of themselves. Using a brand with an appealing personality can rub off on consumers, even if the brand is used for only a short time.
A new study found that massed learning, where consumers try products repeatedly, leads to a good mental model and increased willingness to pay. This approach is particularly effective for new products, as it determines how much they are used after purchase.
Researchers examine how consumers think about money and time, finding that accounting periods affect tracking of temporal costs. The study reveals people are more likely to return to an event if they spent time on it during the same accounting period, not when spending money.
A new study in Journal of Consumer Research explores how consumers' style of goal pursuit influences their search for information and consideration sets. Promotion-focused consumers tend to consider larger numbers of alternatives before making final choices than prevention-focused consumers.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that high-end consumers often spend lavishly on products with subtle brand signals to avoid confusion and maintain exclusivity. The authors analyzed handbags and sunglasses, revealing a higher percentage of branded products among mid-range prices compared to luxury categories.
Research found that certain types of arousal can lead to unhealthy food choices and less-healthy decisions. Arousal interfered with the beneficial effect of positive mood on resistance to temptation, especially in situations requiring mental energy.
A study by economists Scott Carrell and James West found that experienced professors better prepare students for future academic success. However, students' teaching evaluations often reflect short-term gains rather than long-term knowledge retention.
A study found that CEO pay increased significantly over 20 years, driven by 'leapfrogs' who receive large raises, affecting peer groups and company pay. The research suggests that benchmarking practices contribute to the surge in executive compensation.
A new study examines different ways to secure brand loyalty, finding that evaluative conditioning can occur in two forms: direct transfer and indirect transfer. This technique involves associating a brand with positive stimuli, such as celebrity endorsements or event sponsorships, to generate favorable feelings.
A new Australian study found that mainstream consumers value prudence and self-control, but lack sympathy for those with high credit card debt. The research suggests consumer advocacy is a top-down phenomenon driven by governments and media, leading to limited personal action.
A new study found that providing wine aficionados with accurate sensory descriptors improves their ability to resist misleading advertising and form accurate memories. This research has implications for other products like music, gourmet food, or movies, where multisensory advertising can engage and direct the learning process.
A study found that consumers are greatly influenced by images attached to brands, leading to a preference for one brand over another even when faced with contradictory product information. The researchers discovered that this effect is persistent and cannot be overcome by highly motivated participants.
A new study found that focusing on the abstract reasons behind a goal leads to better decision-making and a higher likelihood of taking advantage of unexpected opportunities. By adopting a mindset that considers 'why' rather than just 'how', individuals can overcome obstacles and achieve their objectives more effectively.
A new study found that subjective feelings of ease can increase or decrease consumer confidence depending on whether consumers are thinking concretely or abstractly. The researchers also discovered that abstract thinking determines the theory consumers adopt to interpret their subjective experiences.
Archaeologists Alice V. M. Samson and Bridget M. Waller argue that the bared-teeth motif, commonly linked to death and aggression, actually represents social affiliation and benign intent in pre-Columbian Caribbean cultures.
A study published in the Journal of Political Economy suggests that government regulation of nurses' pay leads to higher death rates in U.K. hospitals. The research found a significant association between regulated wages and increased heart attack death rates.
A recent study found that local newspapers have a significant impact on electoral accountability by providing voters with crucial information about their representatives. In areas where members of Congress receive extensive coverage in local newspapers, voters are more informed and representatives tend to be more constituent-centered.
A study found that grotesque juxtapositions in fashion ads are more effective at grabbing attention than traditionally attractive images. Women who regularly read fashion magazines approached such ads as a type of fiction, immersing themselves in the narrative and exploring its creative elements.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research reveals that different psychological processes drive consumer preferences, with 'projection' (predicting others' likes) and 'introjection' (considering others' preferences before one's own) underlying distinct motivations. Consumers who value uniqueness are more likely to like products ot...
A new study found that consumers who choose between equally appealing options build a positivity bubble to justify their decisions. However, this bubble is easily burst by minor negative information, leading to potential dissatisfaction in the long run.
A recent study found that consumers in conflict are more likely to accept compromise alternatives and defer decisions, leading to unintended choices. The researchers identified two types of regulatory goals: those focused on gains and those focused on losses, which affect decision-making.
A new study examines why brand extensions succeed or fail, highlighting the impact of competitive brands on consumer preferences. The research reveals that when a parent brand is perceived as familiar in an extension product category, it can actually lead to poorer performance.
People who think more abstractly respond better to mixed emotions ads, which portray conflicting feelings. The researchers found that age and culture affect people's ability to think abstractly, with elderly and Asian subjects thinking more abstractly.