http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/consumer_behavior/ Consumer Behavior. Read the latest research on what motivates people to buy, how brand names affect the brain, mindless autopilot through decision-making and more. en-us Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:05:01 EDT Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/consumer_behavior/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090710092226.htm Taller men are able to earn more money than their shorter counterparts simply because taller people are perceived to be more intelligent and powerful, according to a new study. Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090710092226.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707201116.htm Giving students personalized feedback on their drinking behavior and how it compares to social norms might help to reduce alcohol misuse, according to a new eview. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707201116.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630163148.htm A new neuropsychological memory test is helping to uncover how Parkinson's disease can alter people's ability to learn about the consequences of the choices they make. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630163148.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701122708.htm Researchers have determined that movie characters who smoke, regardless of whether they are "good guys" or "bad guys," influence teens to try smoking. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701122708.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706113700.htm Few people changed their behavior in the early stages of the swine flu outbreak. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706113700.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630163523.htm How is it possible that you were not planning on going shopping, but that you still end up going and even return home with four new shirts? Apparently you really did want to go shopping but were not consciously aware of it. Researchers have demonstrated that you can motivate people with subliminal messaging: quickly flashing words onto a screen without their noticing. This is only successful, however, if the subliminal message matches a biological need and if the behavior is associated with a positive effect. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630163523.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630202123.htm Stressed out, dude? Don't go to Vegas. New research shows that men under stress may be more likely to take risks, correlating to such real-life behavior as gambling, smoking, unsafe sex and illegal drug use. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630202123.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630163531.htm Be careful what you promise people. You are not just obliging yourself to keep your promises; other people will hold you to account for them as well. Researchers investigated how the behavior of other people and one's own behavior influences later behavior. If other people say they trust you, you actually become more trustworthy. If you believe you are trustworthy, you oblige yourself to keep your promises. And other people will hold you to account for them; if you do not keep your promise, you can expect revenge. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630163531.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624111019.htm Social network sites should be designed to meet the needs of 55-65-year-old people. Researchers found out that many baby-boomers think social network sites like Facebook are unfit to them. This is the reason why so few of them use any social network services on the Internet. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624111019.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622194231.htm Social problems like bullying and stereotyping involve thoughts, feelings and reactions that resist change. New research shows that when students play active roles in virtual dramas their attitudes and behavior can change. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622194231.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608095044.htm Scientists conducted a study to see if chimpanzees spontaneously bartered foods among each other, using tokens which represented those foods. While results indicated that the animals were cognitively able to understand trade, without enforcement from human experimenters, trade disappeared. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608095044.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617104903.htm Researchers have created the world's first animal laboratory experiment to successfully model human gambling. The advance will help scientists develop and test new treatments for gambling addictions, a devastating condition that affects millions worldwide. Sun, 21 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617104903.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617142120.htm A new study validates the controversial finding that the Implicit Association Test indicated that about 70 percent of those people who took a version of the test that measures racial attitudes have unconscious preference for white people compared to blacks. This compared with figures general under 20 percent for self-reported measures of race bias. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617142120.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616205515.htm Although worlds apart, the way fish learn could be closer to humans' way of thinking than previously believed, suggests a new research study. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616205515.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615171724.htm You've just won a prize. Would you like to find out what it is right away, or wait until later? A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research says most people are happier waiting. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615171724.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610124413.htm A new study uncovers a pivotal role for the human frontal lobe in the promotion of behavioral flexibility during voluntary choice. The work presents a critical new neural mechanism that supports the decision to adapt or maintain behavior when change is not explicitly instructed by the external environment. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610124413.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615171627.htm It's common for retailers to bundle two different products (like razors and blades) together and describe one as free. A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research shows that this strategy leads consumers to devalue the items when they're sold individually. Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615171627.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615171625.htm Consumer experts have long recommended against buying Extended Service Contracts with products, since they are rarely cost effective. A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research examines the reasons why so many people ignore the experts' advice. Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615171625.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090612115537.htm These results reveal that we tend to view products that are grouped close together as being "contagious." It appears that if one of the products has a prominent good or bad quality, we will see that quality as spreading among other objects which are close by, a phenomenon known as the "group-contagion effect." Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090612115537.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610091234.htm Caffeine use prevents increased risk taking that occurs after several nights of total sleep deprivation, according to new research. Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610091234.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609103530.htm Addiction scientists are calling for tighter regulation of alcohol advertising, as new research shows that self-regulation by the alcohol industry does not protect impressionable children and youth from exposure. Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609103530.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090602111814.htm With children having easier access to media and a wider variety of content, the possible negative influence on health issues such as sex, drugs, obesity and eating disorders is increased, and warrants monitoring usage and limiting access if necessary, according to experts. Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090602111814.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528135408.htm People like to believe their actions are driven by their own free will and are not unduly affected by other people. Research, though, shows the way we act is often subconsciously influenced by what we believe to be ‘normal’ behavior. A new research project is about to take this finding to the next level by investigating whether it is possible to nudge individual behavior in a socially-desirable direction, simply by telling people what others are doing. Sun, 31 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528135408.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090527121043.htm Watching people's brains in real time as they handle a set of decision-making problems can reveal how different each person's strategy can be, according to neuroscientists. Thu, 28 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090527121043.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090527105711.htm Humans may be programmed by evolution to care about the long-term future, suggests new research. A study finds that individuals may have an innate tendency to care about the long-term future of their communities, over timescales much longer than an individual’s lifespan. This in turn may help to explain people’s wish to take action over long-term environmental problems. Wed, 27 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090527105711.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090525173538.htm A new analysis suggests that Web- and computer-based smoking cessation programs are worthwhile additions to the arsenal in the battle to quit tobacco. Moreover, the researchers argue, such programs are often free, providing a cost-effective alternative to other smoking interventions. Tue, 26 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090525173538.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521084834.htm At times of crisis women are more inclined to spend themselves out of misery than at stable times, a new survey suggests. Psychologists say that the recession could force more women to overspend or increase their risk of mental illness. Sat, 23 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521084834.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519134711.htm Helping middle school students with their homework may not be the best way to get them on the honor roll. But telling them how important academic performance is to their future job prospects and providing specific strategies to study and learn might clinch the grades, according to a research review. Thu, 21 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519134711.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519134713.htm Have you ever gotten sick of pizza, playing the same computer game, or had a song stuck in your head for so long you never wanted to hear it again? If you have, you may suffer from variety amnesia. New research may have found a cure for your satiation blues. Thu, 21 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519134713.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090514153028.htm Monkeys playing a game similar to "Let's Make A Deal" have revealed that their brains register missed opportunities and learn from their mistakes. Thu, 21 May 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090514153028.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511164215.htm Market or audience segmentation is widely used in social-marketing efforts to reach certain populations. New research has used this tool to identify 10 audience segments most likely to engage in high-risk drinking. "Cyber Millenials" -- tech-savvy singles and couples living in fashionable neighborhoods on the urban fringe -- are most likely to engage in high-risk drinking. Sun, 17 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511164215.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090513091524.htm Contrary to the industry’s position that visible drink labels will promote responsible drinking, young people are, instead, using these visible standard drink labels to increase or even maximize the amount of alcohol they consume at the lowest cost possible. Young people in Australia have very high awareness of standard drink labeling. However, this was predominately to help them choose the drinks that would get them drunk in the shortest time possible. Fri, 15 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090513091524.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511164230.htm Exposure to small promotional items from pharmaceutical companies, such as clipboards and notepads, appears to influence medical students' unconscious attitudes toward the marketed product, according to a new article. Students whose medical school restricts marketing practices had less favorable attitudes toward the product following exposure to the items, while those at a school with no such limitations responded more favorably. Thu, 14 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511164230.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512102604.htm When consumers find themselves in stores with narrow aisles, they react in a surprising way: they seek variety. According to a new study, confined spaces might help people diversify their choices. Wed, 13 May 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512102604.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512193225.htm Although low socioeconomic status is associated with an increased liability to smoke, performing well at school can mitigate this effect. A new study has shown that high-achieving schoolchildren, even those from poor backgrounds, are less likely to smoke. Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512193225.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512102602.htm Choosing among products can be more difficult if you tend to think more about the process of using an item rather than the outcome of the purchase, according to a new study. Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512102602.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512102600.htm Let's say you planned to buy a new car at the end of the year. But then your car conks out and suddenly you need to make a purchase. A new study says you'll use different criteria to evaluate vehicles in that situation than you would if you planned to buy a car immediately but then had to postpone the purchase. Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512102600.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512102558.htm When we choose to spend $10 more than usual for a bottle of wine, we'll have $10 less to spend on an appetizer, a dessert, or ten songs on iTunes. That's known as the "opportunity cost" of that choice. A new study looks at the benefit of drawing consumers' attention to opportunity costs. Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512102558.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512102551.htm The time-honored tradition of displaying emotions to try to get a better deal might actually work, but inflating emotions can backfire, according to a new study. Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512102551.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090505174541.htm How would you respond if you were told that you had an 80 percent chance of surviving an operation -- would you give consent? How about if you were told you had a 20 percent chance of dying? The answer may partly depend on your genetic make-up, according to new research. Mon, 11 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090505174541.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090506160545.htm A new study concludes that media campaigns that portray the tobacco industry in a negative light and that appeal to young adults may be a powerful intervention to decrease young adult smoking. Wed, 06 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090506160545.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429091757.htm Addictive behavior is determined by conscious, rapid thought processes, not necessarily by the content of visual stimuli as previously thought. Sun, 03 May 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429091757.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430144543.htm When you're on a diet, deciding to skip your favorite calorie-laden foods and eat something healthier takes a whole lot of self-control -- an ability that seems to come easier to some of us than others. Now, scientists have uncovered differences in the brains of people who are able to exercise self-control versus those who find it almost impossible. Fri, 01 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430144543.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430065822.htm The hippocampus, a key brain region for memory and learning, codes the degree of uncertainty of potential reward situations. New work sheds light on the way the brain extracts and processes information about the environment. Fri, 01 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430065822.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429125241.htm Providing educators with the tools to create interactive TV courses will expand their ability to reach audiences in their homes and help them learn new skills, according to researchers. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429125241.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090427193244.htm People with higher measures of cognitive ability are more likely to make good choices in several different types of economic decisions, according to a new study. Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090427193244.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090427091120.htm An innovative study examined factors influencing decisions by investment advisors and accountants, finding that irrelevant substance, such as newspaper articles dealing with unrelated risky decisions, affects financial decision making. Tue, 28 Apr 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090427091120.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090422175334.htm A new study reveals that demand for pain relief is almost completely dependent on pain experienced in the recent past and the available cash on hand. That is, the participants were willing to pay more money to avoid pain if that pain was more intense compared to previous trials. In addition, the price they were willing to pay was based on what they were given (money-in-the-pocket) rather than on their overall wealth. Sun, 26 Apr 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090422175334.htm