Consumer Behavior

What Is Consumer Behavior?

Consumer behavior is a hotbed of psychological research as it ties together issues of communication (advertising and marketing), identity (you are what you buy), social status, decision-making, and mental and physical health. Corporations use findings about consumer behavior to determine how best to market products; you can put the information to use in deciding what, when, and why to buy.

Who Deserves the Right to Choose Green?

By Michele Wick Ph.D. on August 16, 2016 in Anthropocene Mind

People who earned their income, as opposed to receiving welfare, were deemed more deserving of the right to spend extra cash to cool the planet.

How We Color Our Lives With the Emotions We Desire

By Marianna Pogosyan Ph.D. on August 15, 2016 in Between Cultures

"Ideal affect" offers insights into the complexities of our emotional worlds, our preferences and our behaviors.

Serendipity: A Store, a Movie and a Coincidence

By Bernard D. Beitman M.D. on August 14, 2016 in Connecting with Coincidence

A movie has replaced the original definition of serendipity.

By Michael Vadon (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

In Politics, a Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot—or Free Press

By Wendy L. Patrick Ph.D. on August 13, 2016 in Why Bad Looks Good

Donald Trump is media accessible. Yet for positive press, the key is to appeal to the voting public through the likability and trustworthiness of the reporter, not the candidate.

On a Cup of Coffee

By Marty Nemko Ph.D. on August 13, 2016 in How To Do Life

Gratitude as an anti-sadness "medication."

Nest egg of cash by American Advisors Group Flickr Licensed Under CC BY 2.0

Is Financial Nudging of American Consumers Backfiring?

By Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on August 07, 2016 in The Science Behind Behavior

Data from Vanguard’s “How America Saves 2016” report raises three red flags.

By Gage Skidmore [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Trump vs. Clinton and Media Coverage: Do Men Come First?

By Wendy L. Patrick Ph.D. on August 04, 2016 in Why Bad Looks Good

In politics, research reveals a gender bias, perhaps unintentional, in covering men more than women. But not always. And more coverage does not always translate into more votes.

Should You Replace Your Car?

By Marty Nemko Ph.D. on August 03, 2016 in How To Do Life

An internal debate that may help you gain clarity.

The Four Evolutionary Roots of Pokémon Go

By Thomas Hills Ph.D. on August 02, 2016 in Statistical Life

Pokémon Go is a craze, but crazes often have reasons that make them so crazy. In the case of Pokemon Go, these reasons are millions of years old.

By Hillary for America (hillaryclinton.com) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Election by Association: Showcasing Successful Surrogates

By Wendy L. Patrick Ph.D. on July 28, 2016 in Why Bad Looks Good

Clinton cashes in on convention psychology. From endorsements to the selection of convention speakers, indirect image management is a significant part of a political campaign.

Free-Range Psychology

By Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on July 25, 2016 in Free-Range Psychology

Just as the heath care field is moving towards personalized medicine, free-range psychology is well positioned to be the wave of the future.

By https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Did the GOP Unconventional Convention Change Your Vote?

By Wendy L. Patrick Ph.D. on July 23, 2016 in Why Bad Looks Good

In politics, the impact of an initial positive impression endures—even in the face of subsequent negative attacks. The GOP convention may particularly impact partisan voters.