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University of Chicago Press Journals


Independent thinkers judge distances differently than holistic types

A new study reveals that individuals with an independent self-construal are more likely to misjudge distances, while those with an interdependent self-construal perform better when considering multiple factors. This difference affects spatial judgments and highlights the importance of cultural background in shaping our perceptions.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJun 25, 2008

Too many choices can spoil the research

A recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that more complex and statistically efficient choice experiments result in less consistent participant responses. The researchers suggest that optimal design choices may impose a higher cognitive load on participants, leading to decreased consistency in their decisions.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJun 25, 2008

Lost in the supermarket?

A study by Bart Minten found that global supermarket chains charge significantly higher prices for food in poor countries, making affordable options inaccessible to the majority. In Madagascar, shoppers preferred locally sourced foods at lower margins over imported goods from multinational chains.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalEconomic Development and Cultural Change·DateJun 19, 2008

How about dessert?

A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers with highly developed emotional sensibilities are better at making product choices. The authors developed a scale to assess consumer emotional ability, which predicts overeating and other unhealthy behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMay 30, 2008

A foamy drink and the future of food

Tejate, a traditional Maize and Cacao Beverage from Oaxaca, Mexico, holds the key to understanding the future of agriculture and food variety. The authors found that tejate is in decline in modern communities but remains associated with traditional farmers' varieties, which are essential for preserving crop diversity.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateMay 21, 2008

The new boss ... same as the old boss?

A new study assesses the case for mayoral control of urban school systems, finding that a clear mission is crucial but flexibility to address changing societal issues is essential. The research suggests that high-profile success stories are often exceptions rather than the rule, and that appointed boards can repeat past mistakes.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalAmerican Journal of Education·DateApr 22, 2008

Vive the vole!

A new study has introduced a nonlethal method to measure the body composition of small rodents using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorbtiometry (DXA). This technology allows for accurate measurements without harming the animals, facilitating longitudinal research and increasing scientific collaboration between field and laboratory researchers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalPhysiological and Biochemical Zoology·DateApr 1, 2008

Wine labels with animals: Why they work

Researchers found that consumers associate animal logos more strongly with themselves than traditional product-related logos. This association enhances brand evaluation and recognition. The study's findings challenge conventional branding wisdom, suggesting unique visual identifiers can be effective in marketing.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 17, 2008

From Green Luddite to Techspressive: The ideology of consumer technology

Four main ideologies governing tech consumption are outlined in a new paper, including the Techtopian ideology promoting social betterment through tech development. The study reveals that each promise offered by these ideologies is ultimately unrealizable, driving consumers to seek completion through ceaseless technology adoption.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 17, 2008

Does touch affect flavor? Study finds that how a container feels can affect taste

A recent study published in Journal of Consumer Research found that the feel of a container can significantly impact consumer perceptions of taste and quality. Low autotelics, those who tend to avoid touching products, were more negatively affected by flimsy cups, while high autotelics showed no significant difference.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 17, 2008

Old dogs: Prior knowledge affects how consumers accept new information

A study found that prior knowledge can make it difficult for consumers to learn and recognize other positive qualities indicated by the same cues. The researchers used cheese tasting to explore this phenomenon, known as 'protection of prior learning.' The findings have important implications for marketers, policy makers, and consumers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateFeb 12, 2008

Gotta have heart!

Crocodilians divert blood through a special vessel called the left aorta to bypass their lungs during digestion. This unique system enables them to secrete gastric acid at an unprecedented rate, facilitating digestion and survival. By shunting CO2-rich blood straight to the stomach, crocodilians maintain optimal digestive conditions.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalPhysiological and Biochemical Zoology·DateFeb 4, 2008

Does mood matter?

A new study found that consumers in a good mood are more likely to choose the first item they see, especially if all options are similar. Participants who were asked to write about a happy event chose the first option 69% of the time, compared to 38.5% of those who wrote about a sad event.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 23, 2008

Your personality type influences how much self-control you have

A new study found that people's personality types affect their ability to exercise self-control. Promotion-focused individuals tend to do better when adopting goal-pursuit strategies that fit their needs, while prevention-focused individuals fare better with vigilance strategies. This research has important implications for consumer we...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 23, 2008

Study: How much you're willing to pay depends on what you were just doing

Researchers found that asking people to choose among products primes them to think about positive attributes, leading to a more favorable evaluation of subsequent items. In another experiment, participants who ranked hotel prices from highest to lowest were willing to pay an average of $19 more than those who did the reverse.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 23, 2008

Marketing the South: Commercial mythmaking and reshaping of popular memories

A study by Craig Thompson and Kelly Tian investigates the interrelationships between commercial mythmaking and the reshaping of popular memories in the South. The researchers focus on two prominent New South mythmakers who seek to ideologically reconstruct the historical legacy of antebellum, confederate, and segregationist South. They...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 8, 2008