A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research suggests that responsible consumption is a myth, shifting the burden for solving global problems from governments to individuals. The researchers found that this shift benefits corporations by creating new markets, while all the pressure falls on consumers.
A new study in Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers assume true events create stronger emotional reactions, but actually, the opposite is true. Consumers felt more emotionally distraught from fictional tragic stories than if they had read the true story instead.
Salmon that force themselves to move quickly through fast-moving water are more likely to die after passing through turbulent waters. Researchers found that burst swimming, a behavior similar to sprinting, can lead to impaired oxygen supply and increased stress metabolites in the blood.
A recent study found that people tend to copy others' choices when they lack social acceptance or enough information. The researchers discovered the 'social default effect', where observing someone else's choice makes it a default option.
A new study by Veronika Ilyuk and colleagues found that consumers tend to overestimate the duration of pharmacological products' effectiveness. In five studies, participants who engaged in more difficult tasks consumed medications or energy drinks more frequently than those in easier conditions. Brands can use these findings to improve...
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research shows that consumers who attribute their successes to internal character traits rather than hard work are more likely to seek out unique options. Brands can leverage this insight by emphasizing consumer uniqueness with terms like 'you're special'.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers are less satisfied with purchases when they have no money left, but are more satisfied when they come into funds. Brands can increase customer satisfaction by running promotions during times of low budget availability.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research reveals that when consumers feel a loss of control, they tend to prefer high-effort products. In contrast, low-control situations drive preferences for low-effort products like get-rich-quick schemes.
A new study found that when children are presented with healthy food as making them strong or helping them learn, they consume less of it. Brands can use this result to de-emphasize benefits and focus on the positive experience of eating. This helps combat childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes.
Consumers tend to choose retailers that offer the lowest prices, even if they don't know the exact price. This study found that deep discounts are less attractive than everyday low prices. The authors suggest offering consistently lower prices may be a more effective strategy.
A new study found that moral identity decreases donations when recipients are deemed responsible for their plight, but empathetic responses increase donations. The researchers suggest that non-profits should focus on eliciting empathy to increase donations rather than appealing to broader moral values.
A recent study found that consumers are willing to pay more for products when thinking about the past, rather than new or future memories. The researchers also discovered that nostalgia can weaken a person's desire for money, making them more likely to donate or give more to others.
A new study found that people are more accepting of using performance-enhancing products for personal gain than for athletic performance. The research suggests that brands can make their products more appealing by reframing their effects as enabling true abilities rather than embellishing beyond them.
Researchers found that people create classification systems to deal with clutter, modifying rules or tolerating transgressions. Understanding everyday tidiness practices helps consumers negotiate social norms regarding tidiness, enabling them to cope with daily constraints and opportunities.
A new study suggests that using multiple perspectives in ads can have negative effects on consumer processing, leading to difficulty in forming a story and negative evaluations. Brands should use care when placing both pictures and imagery instructions in the same ad.
A new study reveals that individuals save more when made to feel powerful, especially when saving for financial resources. The authors conclude that feeling powerful motivates people to use saving as a means to maintain their current state of power.
A recent study published in Journal of Consumer Research found that people tend to distort their memories of past indulgences when faced with an opportunity to indulge. This distortion leads to greater levels of indulgence. By understanding this phenomenon, businesses and individuals can develop strategies to avoid impulsive decisions.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research suggests that focusing on oneself can help individuals overcome distractions and stay committed to their goals. When participants were seated in a cubicle facing a mirror, they were more likely to eat M&Ms when thinking about abstract goals, such as improving their health.
A study found that rejection from luxury salespeople increases consumers' willingness to buy and display the product. Affirming a person's self-concept before rejection can mitigate its impact. Luxury brands can use this insight to improve customer experiences.
A new study found that minority entrepreneurs are more likely to fail due to limited choices caused by rejection and discrimination. This can lead to a loss of self-esteem and personal control. The research highlights the need for public policy stakeholders to address these systemic issues.
A new study reveals that less attractive children receive more help than their cuter counterparts in disaster relief efforts. The research suggests that when a child's need is severe, facial attractiveness has no effect on helping responses.
Researchers found that Siberian hamsters require dietary cholesterol to enter daily torpor during winter. The minimum amount of cholesterol necessary for winter daily torpor is around 0.3%, similar to the amount found in insect larvae.
A new study found that online therapeutic communities can foster empathy and peer-to-peer mentoring among people living with chronic disease. Interactive social platforms build community engagement and markets for new technologies, supporting healthcare reform.
Research found that playful products stimulate more indulgent behavior, such as eating more ice cream or using whimsical office supplies. The study suggests brands should consider the effects of cute products on consumer spending habits.
A study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that brand tourists, or fans of a luxury brand, can inspire feelings of membership pride and enhance the brand's prestige. This 'brand tourism effect' is distinct from brand immigrants, who claim group membership, and has positive implications for companies managing selective brands.
A new study explores how brands and people become cool by understanding social norms and breaking unnecessary rules. The researchers found that autonomy and independence are key factors in perceived coolness, but also noted that what is cool can vary across different groups of consumers.
A study found that when friends make small indulgences together, it enhances their friendship. However, when the stakes are high, they bond through moral support. This understanding can help brands and policymakers tailor their strategies to promote accountability and well-being.
A new study reveals that couples' success in shared endeavors depends on individual levels of self-control. High self-control levels lead to better financial decisions and reduced conflict.
A new study finds that too many product photos can lead to visual homogenization, reducing the ability to discern one product from another. Taking a mental break and returning to the shopping cart for a final decision may be an effective way to overcome this effect.
A new study found that when consumers focus on internal feelings of power, they are less likely to purchase luxury items like BMWs. However, when focused on expected behavior, people in powerful roles are more likely to buy status-signaling products.
A new study by Soo Kim and David Gal found that practicing self-acceptance can help individuals avoid damaging behavior and increase the likelihood of improving areas where they fall short. Self-acceptance may be a more effective alternative to self-destructive behaviors, promoting overall well-being.
The 8th edition of Scientific Style and Format, a definitive resource on scientific editorial style and publishing practices, is now available online. The new edition features updated coverage of technologies, plagiarism, and copyright law, as well as changes in stylistic recommendations.
A new study by Mathew S. Isaac and Aaron R. Brough found that people are more likely to predict outcomes when items are grouped into larger categories. In a series of experiments, participants showed a bias towards wagering more money on winning the lottery if they had blue tickets rather than yellow ones.
A new study found that people perceive foods with rough textures to have lower calorie content. In laboratory experiments, participants consumed more soft than hard brownie bits when not focused on calorie content and vice versa when focused on it.
A new study found that explicit identity marketing messages can undermine consumer agency and result in lower purchase likelihood for those who care deeply about their identities. Brands must consider this when creating campaigns.
A new study found that negative product reviews with polite markers can increase consumer willingness to pay and improve brand image. In experiments, participants showed greater enthusiasm for products described in reviews with polite customer complaints, perceiving the brands as more honest and wholesome.
Research suggests that people living in societies promoting equality are more likely to donate money than those expecting inequality. When the need is uncontrollable, power distance does not deter charitable behavior, whereas communal relationships lead to a greater sense of responsibility to help others.
A recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that restaurants providing 'low-calorie' labels on their menus may inadvertently cause people to eliminate healthy foods. The researchers suggested that by grouping low-calorie options together, restaurants can encourage healthier dining decisions.
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that brands can act as a replacement source of emotional attachment when a person-to-person support system is not available. Researchers discovered that exposure to fear can increase positive emotional brand attachment, leading to stronger consumer connections with brands.
A new study suggests that feeling sad can decrease cravings for unhealthy foods like chocolate and deep-fried treats. By making individuals feel sad, their negative emotional response to these foods highlights the potential health risks associated with overindulgence, leading them to make healthier choices.
A recent study suggests that consumers who choose more expensive products based on perceived value may experience buyer's remorse in the long run. The researchers observed that participants valued functionality over ease of use and preferred products with more features despite the higher price.
A new study found that children's exposure to advertising messages creates long-lasting positive feelings towards brands, making it difficult for them to change their minds. Parents are advised to discuss critical thinking skills with their children when exposed to advertising.
A study found that consumers who feel powerful are more inclined to switch products or services. Brands can benefit by measuring consumer empowerment and diversifying their product lines. Empowering consumers through marketing campaigns can also lead to increased business.
A new study suggests that gift givers often prioritize desirability over practicality, leading to gifts that the recipient doesn't want. In contrast, receivers tend to value practicality more. Brands can help consumers consider the product's utility when buying as a gift, making the gift more appealing to both parties.
Researchers Jingjing Ma and Neal J. Roese found that individuals with a 'must have the best' mindset experience more regret and are less satisfied with purchases, leading to negative effects on psychological well-being.
Researchers found that imagining the smell of a food product without actual scent triggers a stronger desire to consume. The study, published in Journal of Consumer Research, suggests that visual cues can enhance consumer experience and increase sales.
Researchers found that older adults derive more happiness from ordinary experiences than younger people, who prioritize extraordinary life milestones. The study suggests brands can tailor experiential marketing campaigns to specific age groups to maximize impact.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that people are more motivated to engage in healthy behavior when they're feeling depleted. Consumers tend to prefer products with safety features more when they're low on energy.
Researchers found that people attribute more status and competence to individuals who display nonconformity in prestigious contexts. This phenomenon, dubbed the 'Red Sneakers Effect,' suggests that intentionally deviating from norms can be a powerful signal of success.
Researchers at the University of Chicago Press Journals found that controlling a chaotic environment may be key to helping people stop excessive behaviors like hoarding and stockpiling. Participants in cluttered rooms showed increased likelihood of impulse spending compared to those in organized spaces.