The Social Consumer

Social Media

What Is 'Cringe' and Why Can’t We Stop Talking About It?

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on November 28, 2024

Cringe is a negative emotion, but we can’t get enough of it and even share cringy things with our friends. Why?

Consumer Behavior

Tempted to Spend Money in Order to Save Time? Think Twice

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on October 29, 2024

Companies increasingly offer expedited services for a surcharge. The impatient among us might be tempted to use these offers, but should we?

Motivation

Not Feeling Any Urgency to Vote? Let Motivation Science Help

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on October 12, 2024

Nonvoters who lack the motivation to make it to the polls can benefit from motivation science.

Self-Control

How Impulsive People Can Boost Their Self-Control

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on August 19, 2024

New research shows that the way we think about temptations could help us to resist them.

Happiness

Going Green Can Make You Happier

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on June 28, 2024

The surprising health benefits of pro-environmental behaviors.

Motivation

Do You Have a Summer Resolution?

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on June 2, 2024

Summer resolutions can help us to pursue our goals, if we set them right. Read here what summer resolutions are and how you can use them.

Consumer Behavior

How Temu Uses Psychological Hacks to Encourage Overspending

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on April 11, 2024

Temu has become one of consumers’ most popular apps. Its secrets are unbelievably low prices and psychology hacks that get consumers to keep shopping.

Friends

Why Borrowing Money From Friends Can Backfire

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on March 12, 2024

Be careful how you spend borrowed money. If your lender is a friend, they might want to have a say.

Consumer Behavior

Are You Searching for the Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift?

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on February 8, 2024

Research shows that many consumers fear their Valentine’s Day gifts are not special enough. Here's how to select a great gift for your Valentine’s date.

Relationships

It's Okay to Decline an Invitation If You Don't Want to Go

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on January 10, 2024

Research shows that people worry too much about skipping social events.

Self-Control

Didn’t Make It to the Gym? How to Come Up With a Good Excuse

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on December 6, 2023

Many people fail at pursuing their New Year's resolutions. Here’s how to come up with a good excuse if you fail. Hint: Don’t say you had no time!

Consumer Behavior

Can You Stay Cool When Making Risky Decisions?

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on September 29, 2023

Trying something new could be great, or terrible. Consumers are more willing to take such risks when shopping on warmer days, but avoid risks on colder days.

Consumer Behavior

The Psychology of Weight-Loss Drugs

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on August 17, 2023

Thinness has been a status symbol for a while, but weight-loss drugs might supercharge this perception. Read here how drugs might change consumers’ judgments of obesity and health.

Consumer Behavior

When Cutting Calories, We Shouldn't Forgo Pleasure

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on July 20, 2023

Consumers mistakenly believe that to lose weight, they must forgo pleasure. New research explores this paradox.

Ethics and Morality

Does Competition Corrupt Us?

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on May 30, 2023

The age-old philosophical question of whether competition makes people more likely to lie and cheat was tested in 45 simultaneous experiments. Here are the surprising results.

Happiness

How Settling Can Be Good for You

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on April 22, 2023

Settling for a good enough option can save you time and energy. New research shows another unexpected benefit. Settling can also make you more likable.