A new study published in The Journal of Legal Studies found that government use of torture increased worldwide between 1985 and 2003, contradicting international norms. Despite over 75% of countries signing the UN Convention Against Torture, torture reports remained common in 69% of nations.
Female reptiles lay eggs in communal nests, defying their solitary nature. The behavior is common among 255 lizard species and many snake and alligator species, with potential advantages including reduced nesting costs.
A study by Risto Moisio and Mariam Beruchashvili finds that Weight Watchers meetings offer a spiritual and therapeutic model for members seeking well-being. The authors conclude that the social function of weekly meetings extends far beyond weight loss, providing a powerful service to its clientele.
Researchers found that ad placement affects consumer perception, with easier-to-read articles leading to more favorable evaluations of ads and products. Placing ads after difficult articles can have negative effects, while ads unrelated to the article may be more positively received.
A new study finds that smokers in rural Indonesia spend 10% of their budget on tobacco, leading to poorer nutrition for their children. Smokers' families prioritize cheaper rice over nutrient-rich meats and vegetables.
A new study reveals consumers are more persuaded by messages that align with their goals, whether abstract or concrete. The research suggests that fitting the message level of abstraction to a consumer's goals enhances brand evaluations and engages people in tasks beyond product selection.
A study by Russell Belk explores how societal changes impact sharing, highlighting threats like individualization and decline of public education, but also finds healthy models in online communities and forums. Belk suggests promoting sharing through an expanded sense of self and shared ownership.
A study found that amateur designers have lower self-evaluations of their products when compared to professionals. However, consumers enjoy intentionally competing against professionals, leading to more favorable self-evaluations when informed of contests beforehand.
A new study reveals consumers project motives onto brands, finding authenticity in unexpected places like The Simpsons and SUVs. Consumers' identity goals underpin their assessments of brand authenticity, highlighting the subjective nature of this concept.
New research reveals that young muskoxen are not thermally stressed more than adults in extreme cold. The study found that calves and adults sacrifice only a small percentage of their daily energy intake to heat loss during foraging bouts.
A study by David Albouy finds that workers in expensive cities pay a higher share of federal income taxes due to higher wages and lower buying power. The net effect is a transfer of $269 billion from high-cost areas to rural areas, causing workers to flee large urban centers.
A study found that people who share personal information with salespeople, such as birthdays or birthplaces, tend to have better attitudes towards the service and purchase intentions. Conversely, those who isolate themselves from others are less responsive to shared similarities.
A new study by Ana Valenzuela, Barbara Mellers, and Judi Strebel found that Westerner consumers are more receptive to unexpected promotional gifts than their East Asian counterparts. East Asians tend to view surprises as indicative of bad fortune, leading to a different emotional response.
Early product stereotypes develop in children as young as five years old and change over time, with more flexibility seen from third to fifth grade.
A two-year case study tracked the origins and placement of one family's objects, showing that families consider the downstream consequences of introducing new products or services. The study suggests that families should be conscious about which activities or objects are important to preserve, especially during times of change.
Researchers found that consumers perceive unfamiliar products as expensive when surrounded by high-end options, while ignoring their own car expertise. Conversely, novice consumers believe cheap cars are more expensive when seen near affordable ones.
A new study suggests that tapping into our other senses, such as smell and texture, can increase consumers' taste perceptions. In experiments, participants who viewed ads appealing to multiple senses rated the overall taste of a product higher than those who viewed single-sense ads.
A recent study found that bankruptcy rates vary widely across states due to differences in policy, including wage garnishment laws and Chapter 13 filings. Broad demographic factors such as age and income also influence filing rates.
A study by economists found that Russia's switch to a 13% flat tax decreased tax evasion, but the reform had little effect on taxpayers' real income. Taxpayers whose tax rates were cut saw their consumption increase by less than 4%.
A new study found that consumers experience greater delight when winning a prize without immediate knowledge of its value. This positive uncertainty can stimulate mental imagery and prolong positive feelings, making winners more receptive to marketing messages.
Researchers found that thinking about similar experiences accelerates recovery from satiation, as people tend to forget the variety they had in their lives. By recalling past favorite experiences, consumers can regain enjoyment and appreciate their current experience more.
Researchers found that people are more likely to buy Extended Service Contracts for hedonic products like game controllers, which hold value due to the pain of potential loss. Price promotions also play a role, with low-income consumers more likely to purchase ESCs as they cannot afford replacements.
A study in Journal of Consumer Research found that India's anti-Coca-Cola movement employs nationalism and swadeshi ideology, invoking imagery of foreign invasion and exploitation. The authors argue that global brands can become symbols of oppression, with implications for multinational corporations and policy makers.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research reveals that emotions connected with asking for favors can drive individuals to seek simpler transactions in the marketplace. This phenomenon is linked to feelings of perpetual obligation and social indebtedness.
Researchers found that ad responses depend on mental energy and attention devoted to the ad, with disinterested consumers reacting to less nuanced messages. Positive ads may not be more persuasive among interested consumers who invest considerable mental resources.
Researchers found that bundling two products together and describing one as free leads consumers to devalue individual items. This effect, known as the 'freebie devaluation' effect, occurs because consumers make inferences about product quality based on the perceived value of the free item.
Dr. Michael J. Wade, a renowned evolutionary biologist, will receive the 2009 Sewell Wright Award for his seminal contributions to multi-level selection and the study of evolution. His work has been cited over 5500 times and has formed a significant part of the conceptual landscape for the 'levels of selection' discussion.
Dr. Jonathan Losos has made significant contributions to the knowledge of Caribbean ecosystems through his research on anole lizards. His work highlights the importance of natural selection, competition, and niche evolution in shaping assemblages of Anolis species.
A study found that high-quality teachers tend to leave schools with large minority populations, suggesting a direct relationship between student race and teacher quality. This relationship may be a substantial contributor to the black-white achievement gap in American schools.
The study found that non-genetic variation acquired during an organism's life can be passed on to offspring through epigenetic means, affecting traits such as eye outgrowths and reproductive hormones. This phenomenon has significant implications for the study of evolution, heredity, and development.
A new study found that former prisoners are less likely to return to jail if they expect longer sentences for future crimes. The study used Italy's Collective Clemency Bill as a natural experiment, measuring the deterrent effect of prison sentences on recidivism rates. Results show that even small increases in expected sentence length ...
A new study in Journal of Consumer Research finds that process-oriented thinking can increase decision difficulty and hinder consumers' motivation. This type of thinking involves considering both means and end benefits when making purchases, leading to more difficult choices.
Researchers found that 'lead users' with strong social connections are key to developing innovative products, while 'opinion leaders' influence locally. The study analyzed data from 537 Dutch schoolchildren aged 9-11.
A new study finds that consumers evaluate products differently based on the timing of their purchase. When considering future use, desirability is a primary factor, while feasibility takes precedence for immediate use. Reevaluating a product later can also influence judgments, with future-considered products being viewed more favorably.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that drawing consumers' attention to opportunity costs leads to different purchasing decisions. By explicitly naming opportunity costs, consumers become more price sensitive and tend to choose cheaper options.
Researchers found that confined spaces lead to greater variety seeking, as people diversify their choices. In crowded stores, customers tend to choose unfamiliar and unique brands.
A new study finds that consumers can use 'emotion gaming' to get better deals by exaggerating their anger levels. This tactic is effective when proposers believe the receivers' emotions are genuine. However, if proposers suspect a strategic display, its impact on offers disappears.
A new study found that consumers are attracted to crowded store zones but are less likely to make a purchase once they arrive. Longer shopping times lead consumers to become more purposeful and focused on specific product categories.
Consumers may feel they have fulfilled a healthy eating goal when choosing an unhealthy option, while the presence of a healthy choice draws attention to the least-healthy alternative. The study found that this phenomenon is more pronounced in individuals with high levels of self-control.
A new study examines how marketers can enhance target options by introducing unique categorical features, reducing the decoy's impact. The authors found that changes in destination, laptop computer type, and camera phone brand decreased the attractiveness of the decoy option.
A new study examines how distraction affects product decisions and finds that it can be helpful for those with a configural mindset. Consumers who focus on overall impressions of products make more accurate evaluations after being distracted.
A new study reveals that Chinese consumers attach political meanings to Western brands and connect them to important moments in Chinese history. Chinese consumers are finding ways to appropriate symbols and goods to create a new Chinese narrative, infusing Western brands with meaning and articulating a reaction to the West.
Researchers found that chameleons alter their sunbathing behavior in response to their dietary vitamin D intake, regulating UV exposure to maintain optimal levels. The study showed remarkable accuracy in the chameleons' ability to gauge and adjust their UV exposure based on internal vitamin D levels.
A new study explores how doctors and patient families decide on life-ending treatments, finding that patients who made the choice were more confident but expressed negative emotions. The researchers also found that physicians' framing of the decision can impact emotional responses.
A study found that test scores improved in privatized schools, but at a slower rate than the rest of the city's public schools. The achievement gap between the two groups increased by 2006, with the privatized schools lagging behind their public counterparts.
A new study by Joann Peck and Suzanne B. Shu finds that touching objects boosts feelings of ownership and leads to higher prices. Researchers suggest retailers use touch experiences and ownership imagery to increase sales, both in-store and online.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research examines why some consumers prefer local products, such as Fei-Chang Cola, while others favor global brands like Pepsi Cola. The research reveals that intrinsic mindsets and desires for distinctiveness vs. similarity play a crucial role in shaping consumer preferences.
A new study examines how environmental cues influence consumer behavior, finding that primed goals can sustain for a duration or fade away. Consumers who rate themselves as unfit are more likely to select fitness-enhancing drinks after exposure to relevant words.
A new study examines how restaurants providing nutritional data influences consumer food choices and reveals that this practice can help people make healthier decisions. The research shows that when consumers' expectations are not met, providing nutrition information increases the perceived likelihood of weight gain and heart disease.
Researchers found that repeated exposure to similar temptations can enhance self-control, while a single tempting experience can wear down resistance. The studies showed that participants who had previously faced similar options performed better in subsequent decisions.