Researchers found that individuals who feel connected to a group are more likely to donate, even if it's for a different group. The study suggests that nonprofits can improve fundraising efforts by targeting specific demographics and avoiding comparisons between donors and recipients.
Research reveals that Bermuda bluebirds have distinct physiological differences compared to their continental counterparts, with lighter weights and longer wings. The study also found that island nestlings grow slower and face higher mortality rates than their mainland peers.
A recent study found that consumers who believe their fate can change are more likely to exhibit impulsive or indulgent behavior after reading a negative horoscope. On the other hand, participants who believed in a fixed fate were able to resist temptation and stay focused on their day ahead.
A new study found that consumers rejected from social networks are more likely to purchase products already accepted by the group than choose something unique. In contrast, brands using popularity appeals may elicit a positive response by emphasizing the uniqueness of their product.
A study found that consumers tend to choose individualized but less preferred gifts when shopping for multiple recipients. Shoppers prioritize getting different gifts for each person on their list rather than opting for a single, more appealing gift.
A new study finds that consumers donate less when focused on distant future but more when abstract thinking is used. Brands can leverage this by emphasizing the fun experience of a product, rather than its unpleasant side effects.
A study by Mathew S. Isaac and Robert M. Schindler found that moving just two spots up or down a ranked list can greatly influence consumer perception. The researchers analyzed data from the Graduate Management Admissions Council, finding that rank changes near round-number group borders are the best predictors of increased applications.
Research suggests that breast cancer ads can be ineffective when they emphasize a woman's vulnerability, leading to motivated forgetting. This phenomenon occurs when people feel threatened about their gender or social identity, causing them to suppress memories of the ad and its message.
Researchers found that men are sensitive to impairing their image, but do not prefer who they complain to. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to complain to close friends when concerned about their reputation. The study challenges prior assumptions that negative word-of-mouth is largely driven by product performance.
A new study suggests that products requiring work have a higher perceived value when consumers are engaged in the design process. Higher assembly effort leads to increased valuation of the final product, as the overall experience is seen as creative and engaging.
A new study by Claudia Townsend and Barbara E. Kahn found that visual presentation can lead to information overload and result in less systematic consideration when making a purchasing decision. Small image sets are key to reducing visual overload, promoting more careful review of options.
A study by researchers from Duke University found that exposure to multiple brands with different personalities can make a focal brand seem more distinctive. Consumers are more likely to buy Mountain Dew when it's paired with a dissimilar brand like Honda, especially at faster-than-normal commercial speeds.
Researchers found that priming with homophones can influence consumer behavior, leading to increased willingness to pay for products. The study's findings have broader applications beyond consumer behavior, including potential uses in public policy and dieting goals.
Research reveals that consumers value sales more when considering the original price, and retailers can leverage this by highlighting list prices. In three experiments, authors found that relying on competing product similarities increased consideration of both original and sale prices, while focusing on dissimilarities led to a focus ...
Researchers found that when a brand's narrative has more to give, closure is harder to accept, while a more believable end is easier. The study also shows that brand death leads to the loss of sociality surrounding the brand.
Researchers found that publicly observable initial acts of support lead to less subsequent engagement, while private acts stimulate a deeper connection with the cause. Nonprofits can increase token campaign effectiveness by making them relatively private or highlighting value similarity.
Researchers found that realistic stories with identifiable characters and plots lead to 'narrative transportation,' a phenomenon where consumers mentally enter the story. Five characteristics - familiarity, attention, fantasizing ability, higher education, and female gender - contribute to this effect.
A study found that consumers are willing to trade off scarcity of VIP rewards for the ability to share them with others. This effect is linked to feelings of social connection and personal status. The authors suggest that companies consider extending benefits to entourage members to boost customer loyalty.
Researchers found that consumers are more likely to buy a product from a different location when a pleasant sound draws attention to the item. This effect is attributed to the ability to visually process products presented in the same spatial direction as the auditory signal, making it easier for consumers to make informed decisions.
A new study shows that consumers play a crucial role in creating markets through consumer innovation and community formation. The Minimoto, a modified minibike, is an example of a market emerged through these processes.
A study found that assigning human mental states to time makes wait times seem oppressive, especially for those who feel powerless. Researchers discovered that time anthropomorphism can decrease patient behavior in consumer choices.
Consumers enjoy discounts more immediately than later, according to a new study. Discounts make consumers happier but also reduce the need to justify expenditure, leading to decreased enjoyment. The study found that waiting to consume after payment can dampen pleasure-related consumption experiences.
A study in Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers develop strong emotional attachments to commercial spaces when they experience familiarity, authenticity, and security. This attachment leads to loyalty and willingness to make sacrifices to support their favorite businesses.
Researchers selectively bred silver foxes for friendly behavior, resulting in faster maturation, more attractive features, and changes in hormone levels that affect physical development. These findings suggest that human preference for beautiful faces may be linked to an individual's approachability and sociability.
Consumers compare prices differently depending on their self-perceived power status, with those feeling powerful experiencing unfairness when paying more than others. The study suggests marketing strategies to engage customers of different power statuses.
A study by Ashlee Humphreys and Kathryn A. LaTour found that changing industry labels from gambling to gaming affects consumer perceptions, making them more inclined to participate in online betting. The researchers analyzed language usage in newspapers and conducted experiments to explore the impact of framing on consumer judgments.
A study found that observing someone being flattered triggers social comparison and envy, leading consumers to choose more expensive items. Researchers Elaine Chan and Jaideep Sengupta conducted experiments in clothing stores to investigate reactions to salespeople's flattery.
A new study finds that figurative language in advertising can be effective, but its impact on attitudes depends on the product type. For hedonic products like truffles and ice cream, consumer reviews use more emotional language than utilitarian products like laundry detergent.
A study in the Journal of Consumer Research examines how low-income consumers negotiate their social status within a resource-restrained and stigmatized community. The research reveals five distinct social groups with varying moral values and approaches to life in the trailer park.
Researchers found that women's desire for luxury goods is linked to their motivation to guard relationships. Women perceive luxury products as signals of a partner's devotion and are less likely to pursue men who wear similar items. This phenomenon, known as 'mate guarding,' highlights the role of luxury consumption in relationships.
A new study finds that entering lotteries can lead to a loss of self-control due to materialistic thoughts. Consumers who buy lottery tickets show stronger preferences for immediate rewards and exhibit poor impulse control.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research suggests that shoppers should make more conscious choices about what to add to their shopping baskets. Researchers found that additional purchases can either attenuate or exacerbate embarrassment, depending on whether they counterbalance or complement embarrassing products. The findings h...
A study by Mauricio M. Palmeira and Joydeep Srivastava found that consumers perceive a free gift as more valuable when paired with an expensive product, not a low-discounted one. This suggests that promotions with low discounted prices devalue products more than free offers.
Researchers Thuc-Doan T. Nguyen and Russell W. Belk found that Vietnamese consumers achieve harmony by considering the needs of others while also prioritizing their own interests. Through a series of interviews, they discovered that Asian values such as long-term mutuality and family loyalty promote social harmony in wedding planning.
Researchers found that moderately controversial articles received more comments than less or more controversial ones. Companies should avoid evoking high levels of controversy to generate buzz
Researchers found that physical changes to products during and after consumption can reduce recycling rates. Consumers are more likely to throw away items with distorted forms than intact ones.
A new study published in Journal of Consumer Research found that making specific plans to implement a goal can increase the likelihood of success. In contrast, relatively rigid structures can simplify goal pursuit by eliminating demanding choices and make it easier to achieve goals.
Consumers with low self-esteem use brands to stand out and feel included, but also seek to distinguish themselves when feeling excluded. Companies can create brand communities and social media engagement to address these needs, appealing to both belongingness and differentiation.
Researchers found that flattering sellers eliminates the endowment effect, leading to lower selling prices. This phenomenon is driven by consumers' emotional response to losing a possession, which can be mitigated by acknowledging their concerns.
A study by Russell W. Belk finds that consumers are losing inhibitions and sharing personal thoughts, photos, and opinions online without limits. This 'online disinhibition effect' can lead to regrettable posts, affecting school, job, and relationship prospects.
The Titanic's consumer fascination stems from its ambiguous tale, leaving consumers pondering unanswered questions. The study highlights the importance of imprecision in legendary brands, which can be both a marketing advantage and a key to their enduring appeal.
A new study by Jonah Berger and Raghuram Iyengar found that written conversations on Facebook lead to discussions of more interesting products and brands compared to oral conversations. This is because written communication allows consumers time to think before responding, enabling them to select more engaging topics.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that empowering consumers through product development can lead to a backlash when combined with social media influence. Consumers who feel empowered are more likely to deliberately express opposing views and rebel against attempts to shape their opinions.
A recent study found that materialism can lead to loneliness, but it also decreases loneliness for those who acquire possessions solely for enjoyment. The research suggests that materialism may not be entirely detrimental to consumer well-being when pursued in a 'happy hedonistic' lifestyle.
A study by Daniel Mochon found that consumers react negatively when choices are too restrictive, increasing the likelihood of no purchase. Consumers prefer having multiple options, and isolating one option may lead to increased searching and decision paralysis.
Consumers tend to prefer products organized by benefits rather than features, as it leads to lower prices and perceived similarity. This can result in consumers sacrificing quality for price, but also makes it harder to notice differences between products.
A recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers who receive unearned preferential treatment, such as free samples or upgrades, are less satisfied than those who do not. The authors suggest that companies should consider reaching consumers privately when giving away rewards to avoid social discomfort.
A study found that seating arrangements impact consumers' responses to persuasive messages, with circular arrangements favoring belonging-based messaging and angular arrangements favoring uniqueness-based messaging. This knowledge can inform various settings, such as restaurants and public transit.
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers are more likely to pursue goals when they set flexible, high-low range goals. This flexibility increases the challenge of the goal while also making it attainable, leading to a greater sense of accomplishment and higher reengagement rates.
Consumers prefer appetizers served first when dining with others, as the beginning of the experience influences their overall judgment. This study highlights the importance of considering social context in consumption experiences, such as restaurants and museums.