Using the term ‘artificial intelligence’ in product descriptions reduces purchase intentions, finds a new study with more than 1,000 adults in the U.S. When AI is mentioned, it tends to lower emotional trust, which in turn decreases purchase intentions.

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#artificialintelligence #productdescriptions #consumerbehavior #emotionaltrust #researchstudy

Banning free plastic bags for groceries resulted in customer purchasing more plastic bags, study finds. Significantly, the behaviors spurred by the plastic bag rules continued after the rules were no longer in place. And some impacts were not beneficial to the environment.

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#PlasticBagBan #SustainableShopping #ConsumerBehavior #EnvironmentalImpact #EcoFriendlyChoices

Study analyzed data from U.K. customers after the mandatory calorie labeling law was enacted in April ‘22 and found no significant decrease in calories purchased or consumed. Despite higher awareness, only 22% of customers reported using calorie information when making their food choices

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#CalorieLabeling #HealthyChoices #ConsumerBehavior #FoodAwareness #PublicHealth

Political polarization has been increasing across the globe. People even rate products less favorably when they are associated with their least-liked political party. This tendency is stronger in public than in private situations, suggesting that people may do this for reputational reasons.

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#PoliticalPolarization #ConsumerBehavior #SocialIdentity #ReputationEffect #GlobalPolitics

Mass shootings increase alcohol sales, study finds: Data from 35,000 alcohol retailers, covering more than half of American grocery and drug-stores from 2006–2019, found that public mass shootings predict a 3.5%–5.5% increase in weekly alcohol sales for at least two years

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#MassShootings #AlcoholSales #PublicHealth #ConsumerBehavior #GunViolence

When a fatal school shooting takes place, people buy fewer groceries 🥦, eat out less 🍽️, and spend less money in stores 🛒. Liberals felt more anxious 😟 about a school shooting than conservative participants, making them even less likely to shop in public spaces.

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#SchoolSafety #MentalHealth #ConsumerBehavior #PublicAnxiety #GunViolence

People’s Political Views Shape How They Respond to Companies That Tightly Control Their Frontline Staff 🇺🇸🤝

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#PoliticalViews #ConsumerBehavior #BrandPerception #EmployeeFreedom #CivicEngagement

Shopping for goods or services that you will share is significantly more stressful than shopping for yourself or for something to be given to another person, because “You feel more responsible and you feel less confident about your ability to do a good job with it” 🛒😰✨

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#ShoppingStress #GiftGiving #Responsibility #ConfidenceIssues #ConsumerBehavior

Eye-tracking study reveals that calorie labels only influences people who are already actively trying to lose weight 🥗📉. For everyone else, the labels make little difference to what they choose 🍔❌.

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#CalorieLabels #HealthAwareness #WeightLossJourney #MindfulEating #ConsumerBehavior

⭐ Political ideology influences attitudes toward addictive products like alcohol, tobacco, and gambling, with conservatism linked to more favorable views due to a higher sense of personal control.

⭐ Across ten studies involving diverse datasets (YouGov, Yelp) and countries (UK, US, Canada, Australia, NZ), conservatives consistently showed more positive attitudes and behaviors toward addictive items compared to liberals.

⭐ The research, published in the Journal of Marketing by Jasmina Ilicic and Stacey Brennan, found that a heightened sense of agency among conservatives leads them to underestimate the dangers of addictive products.

⭐ Personalized threat messaging in public health campaigns proved more effective in reducing favorable attitudes toward addictive products among conservatives, suggesting tailored communication is key.

#Politics #Addiction #ConsumerBehavior

✨ Subtle reminders of God can lead people to choose unhealthy, ultra-processed foods over natural options. A study published in Psychology & Marketing suggests spiritual cues activate a subconscious belief in divine healing, reducing dietary self-control.

✨ Researchers Ali Gohary (La Trobe University) and Hean Tat Keh (Monash University) conducted six experiments. They found that exposure to religious texts, songs like "Silent Night," or the Islamic call to prayer increased preference for processed foods and decreased preference for natural options.

✨ This effect, known as "God salience," works by making individuals feel that a higher power will heal negative health consequences, leading to less worry about risky eating habits. This belief in divine restoration, not general optimism, drives the shift towards unhealthy choices.

✨ The study, "God’s Presence in the Aisle: How God Salience Encourages Preference for Ultra‐Processed Foods," suggests practical implications for public health and food marketing, warning that religious framing in health initiatives might inadvertently undermine goals.

#FoodScience #ConsumerBehavior #HealthPsychology

✨ Ovulation Fuels Desire for Luxury: New Research

📈 Key Findings:
Fertility & Luxury: Research suggests women near ovulation, a peak fertility period, show an increased desire for conspicuous luxury goods. This behavior is linked to a physiological mating goal to be noticed by more men.
Attraction vs. Selection: This desire to attract a broad pool of potential partners (attraction phase) challenges previous notions that luxury is used to signal high standards and limit partners. A subsequent selection phase allows for choosing a romantic relationship.
Public Display Matters: The desire for luxury consumption near ovulation is specifically for items visible in public. This contrasts with private consumption, indicating the goal is to be noticed by others.
Belief is Key: When women believe men don't notice women's luxury consumption, this fertility-driven desire for luxury is significantly mitigated.

📅 Publication Details:
Kim A, Durante KM, Laran J, Nikiforidis L, Griskevicius V (2026). Fertility increases women’s desire for conspicuous luxury. PLoS One 21(9): e0354126.

#ConsumerBehavior #Marketing #FertilityResearch