Inside the Consumer Mind

Understanding the rational and emotional foundations of consumer behavior

by Peter Noel Murray, Ph.D.

Facebook: The Psychology of Social Media

What does it mean to ‘like' a brand on Facebook? What motivates consumers to click on the ‘like' icon? And why is this important to the brand marketers? Read More

Andy Rooney: Cognitive Scientist?

Andy Rooney was an intuitive cognitive scientist. He had an unfailing eye for product designs that facilitated information processing by the user, were aligned with mental representations of form and function, were free of constraints to usage, and provided the feedback necessary for a satisfying, error-free experience. Read More

Does Your Headache Remedy Understand You?

When a fever starts, the flu attacks or allergies erupt, try to separate your emotions from the physical symptoms. Self-medicating with a brand that you believe understands your emotional state is more likely to help you feel better. Read More

How Consumer Psychology Can Help Save the U.S. Postal Service

The U.S. Postal Service is in big trouble. The quality of customer experience is a major barrier to productivity and profitability. The solution lies “inside the consumer mind.” Until the government adopts a bottom-up approach based on an understanding of the psychology of consumer behavior, the problems of the Postal Service will remain unsolved. Read More

How Steve Jobs Knew What You Wanted

When Steve Jobs was asked how much market research was conducted to guide Apple in its incredible string of new product successes, he responded, “None. It isn’t the consumers’ job to know what they want.” Steve Jobs could see things that the rest of us could not. Read More

I Am My Ferrari

The new Ferrari’s are sold out … worldwide! So what motivates someone to pay $350,000 for a car? It could be as simple as they think it’s cool and can afford it. It is likely that the answer is more complex. What can those of us who aren’t wealthy learn from the answer to this question? Read More

Understand the 'Why' Before You Decide to Buy

A friend recently called to tell me that his mother bought a new car. His mom is eighty-eight years old; and her new set of wheels are on a Ford Mustang convertible … all black, and loaded. With its 5.0 liter V8 engine, mom’s car moves! My friend is concerned. His mother is thrilled. Read More

Introducing ... Inside the Consumer Mind

Sigmund Freud observed that, “The mind is like an iceberg, it floats with one-seventh of its bulk above water.” This blog, Inside the Consumer Mind, will make deep dives beneath the surface to explore what is known about the psychological processes that influence consumer behavior. Read More

Peter Noel Murray, Ph.D., is principal of a consumer psychology practice in New York City. Dr. Murray's specialty is the psychological drivers of consumer behavior, with emphasis on emotion.

more...