http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/consumerism/ Research news on consumerism and the effect of consumerism on society and the environment. en-us Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:05:01 EST Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/consumerism/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111427.htm The next time a telemarketer opens with a friendly question, you might stop and wonder why. A new study shows that it is surprisingly effective when salespeople or fundraisers ask how your day has been or which football team you support before broaching the subject of a purchase or donation. Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111427.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111423.htm The experience of purchasing art shares much in common with viewing it in exhibits, according to a new study. Research shows that visiting a gallery can provide many of the same benefits as buying a painting. Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111423.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111433.htm In our globalized world, consumers are exposed to marketing messages in many languages. But a new study says messages expressed in people's native languages are most effective at triggering emotional reactions. Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111433.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081218122254.htm From converting used comics into wrapping paper to sending electronic greeting cards, the American Chemical Society offers tips on making your holiday greener and more environmentally-friendly. Other tips include buying locally-produced foods, replanting Christmas trees, and recycling used cell phones. Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081218122254.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111429.htm Many products have numbers attached: megapixels for cameras, wattage ratings for stereos, cotton counts for sheets. A new study shows that consumers are heavily influenced by quantitative specifications, even meaningless ones. Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111429.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081208203915.htm Markets need regulation to stay stable. We have had thirty years of financial deregulation. Now we are seeing chickens coming home to roost. This is the key argument of a mathematician at Imperial College London, in an article just published in Significance, the magazine of the Royal Statistical Society. Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081208203915.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111441.htm We feel good about a purchase if we believe we've made a decision that's in line with our goals. A new study examines the ways consumers evaluate brand features to make choices. Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111441.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111439.htm Bummer! You meant to get to the mall to buy that discounted leather jacket, but missed the sale. A new study uncovers a strategy for releasing consumers from 'regret lock,' which results in not making any purchase because the item they want is no longer deeply discounted. Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111439.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081209100832.htm Scientists at Toshiba's Corporate Research and Development Center in Japan have developed a system that offers shoppers advice on what to buy based on the product barcode and the current weblog buzz around the gadget. The team describes the system WOM Scouter this month in the International Journal of Metadata, Semantics and Ontologies. Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081209100832.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081208180514.htm Bling, foreclosures, rising credit card debt, bank and auto bailouts, upside down mortgages and perhaps a mid-life crisis new Corvette -- all symptoms of compulsive overspending. Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081208180514.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081201105957.htm Are consumers under too much pressure to be healthy? Has the global financial crisis sidelined the promotion of sustainable food? And how much do consumers actually know or care about the subject? Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081201105957.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081118141854.htm A research article published in the current issue of the International Journal of Intellectual Property Management suggests that Big Brother could be opening a privacy and security Pandora's Box if human rights, particularly regarding data protection are not addressed in the design of new RFID applications. Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081118141854.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081117121231.htm What does it take for marketers to reach customers who are already loyal to a particular brand? A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research examines brand loyalty and the way it affects perceptions of advertising. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081117121231.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081117082233.htm A new approach to preventing digital piracy of music and video content that sidesteps the need for the privacy compromise associated with DRM (digital rights management) is reported in the International Journal of Intellectual Property Management. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081117082233.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081104084213.htm In the near future it will be possible to customize the food we eat to individual needs, based on the genetic profile of the individual. Researchers suggest that the consumer market is not yet ready for this so-called nutrigenomics. They conclude that many obstacles must be overcome before products based on nutrigenomics become a reality. Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081104084213.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081022073721.htm A new report projects economic problems for the UK after the great crash of 2008. The British economy will suffer next year as it experiences the worst setback among the G7 countries. This reflects an especially pronounced reverse to consumer spending, which will fall by 3.4 per cent in 2009, easily the biggest decline among the G7, according to the report author. The economy will also be dragged down by the collapse in private housing investment, which will fall by 17.1 per cent, and lower business investment, which will decline by 3.8 per cent. A sizeable contribution from net trade (mainly reflecting lower imports) is not sufficient to stave off recession in 2009. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081022073721.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081015130640.htm In virtually all stores, consumers view products on display fixtures that are presumed to be of little consequence. Yet, suppose that you were shopping for a set of trendy new coffee mugs and noticed some on a nearby table or shelf. Would your evaluation of just how trendy the mugs are change depending on the display fixture's surface material -- the piece of glass or wood beneath the product? According to a new study, there is reason to believe so. Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081015130640.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081014111355.htm We've all met know-it-alls -- people who think they know more than they actually do. If they're talking about products, like wine or motorcycles, they might actually know as much as they think. But when it comes to health plans, social policy, or nutrition, they might not, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081014111355.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081014111206.htm A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research examines the way consumers behave when information about a purchase is incomplete. The study suggests that there are ways for marketers to reduce the number of customers who leave empty handed. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081014111206.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081009072206.htm Britain's post-war baby boomers, associated throughout their lives with social change, are failing to break new ground in their approach to growing old. Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081009072206.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081009072712.htm The most loyal customers are those who do their shopping both in stores and on the Internet. These customers also spend more money. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081009072712.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006130542.htm Many credit card customers become fixated on the level of minimum payments given on credit card bills. The mere presence of a minimum payment is enough to reduce the actual amount many people choose to pay on their bills, leading to further interest payments. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006130542.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080929123951.htm Asian vegetables, a diverse group of specialty vegetables grown and consumed throughout Asia, are becoming an integral part of the American diet. To gauge their familiarity with a range of Asian vegetables, consumers were asked to complete a written survey as they entered two fruit and vegetable markets in Belleville, Ill., on busy Saturday mornings. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080929123951.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080926100629.htm Cities are being unfairly blamed for most of humanity's greenhouse gas emissions and this threatens efforts to tackle climate change, warns a new study. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080926100629.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925122353.htm The current financial crisis is first and foremost a crisis of confidence. The tip of the iceberg may be the subprime mortgage crisis and its immediate aftermath, but the roots of the crisis have to do with unsustainable dual deficits (fiscal and trade) that have resulted in gargantuan levels of US debt, both private and public. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925122353.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080917145143.htm Firms in Democratic states tend to have a higher corporate social responsibility rating than those in Republican ones, a new study finds. Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080917145143.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915143326.htm Some people have trouble indulging, and they regret it later. There's hope for those people, according to a new study. Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915143326.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915143334.htm If you are deciding on a major vacation for next year, you'll use different criteria than if you are planning a trip this weekend, according to a new study. Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915143334.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915170801.htm A person flipping through a magazine or watching TV sees a number of advertisements. Does the placement of those ads matter to consumers? A new study says it does. But whether people have a positive or negative impression depends on how knowledgeable they are about the products being pitched. Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915170801.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915170749.htm Marketers like to talk about "priming" goals -- or sending subtle messages to encourage consumption. For example, thirsty people who encounter ads related to thirst tend to buy more beverages. But a surprising new study reveals that goal priming can backfire, especially when consumers are in uncommon situations. Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915170749.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915143324.htm Less than 2 percent of Americans use coupons, likely because of fear of being viewed as cheap or poor. A new study demonstrates that not only do coupon users face stigmatization; people who stand near them do too. Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915143324.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909205410.htm The nation's shortage of primary care physicians has been linked to a host of poor health outcomes, and a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that salary disparities play a major role in the shortage. Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909205410.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080907123704.htm There is fresh evidence that people spend less when paying cash than using credit, cash-equivalent scrip or gift certificates. They also spend less when they have to estimate expenses in detail. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080907123704.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080822160341.htm Households located in poor neighborhoods pay more for the same items than people living in wealthy ones, according to a new study. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080822160341.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080826124403.htm A case study of three health care institutions with different ownership models found that self-pay patients must navigate a system that provides no guarantees medical centers will follow their own policies for providing uncompensated care. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080826124403.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825175007.htm Household surveys predict the inflation rate fairly accurately and as well as professional economists. The pros employ statistics like the unemployment rate, money supply growth and exchange rate changes. Consumers participating in surveys are more likely to think about how much they spent at the grocery store that week. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825175007.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080820080343.htm The proportion of working-age Americans who have medical bill problems or who are paying off medical debt climbed from 34 percent to 41 percent between 2005 and 2007, bringing the total to 72 million, according to recent survey findings from The Commonwealth Fund. In addition, 7 million adults age 65 and over also had problems paying medical bills, for a total of 79 million adults with medical bill problems or medical debt. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080820080343.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080822160343.htm As portion sizes have increased, Americans' waistlines have expanded. And as a new study demonstrates, consumers are tricked into drinking more soft drinks when retailers eliminate small drink sizes. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080822160343.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080814110959.htm For some, spending in today's tumultuous economy is not a problem, especially for those who don't care what everyone else has. But for others, casino splurges, not saving enough or buying the latest iPhone on impulse can lead to emotional turmoil or financial troubles, according to several new studies on consumer behavior. Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080814110959.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080625193859.htm Feeling powerless can trigger strong desires to purchase products that convey high status, according to new research. In a study that may explain why so many Americans who are deeply in debt still spend beyond their means, authors found that research subjects who were asked to recall times when someone else had power over them were willing to pay higher prices for status-symbol items. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080625193859.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619095147.htm A new study shows that online peer-to-peer lending Web sites may be more attractive to Americans than traditional financial institutions. Online lending sites enable individuals to lend and borrow money directly, without the involvement of any financial institution. Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619095147.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603120242.htm Research suggests the average supermarket shopper will pay a premium price for locally produced foods, providing some farmers an attractive option to enter a niche market that could boost their revenues. The study showed that shoppers at farm markets would pay almost twice as much extra as retail grocery shoppers for the same locally produced foods. Both kinds of shoppers also will pay more for guaranteed fresh produce and tend to favor buying food produced by small farms over what they perceive as corporate operations. Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603120242.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080602105523.htm Our relationship with objects is multi-layered and often very emotional, and this is expressed in the way we shop. Swedish ethnologists have studied the way we look for things in shopping malls, town centers and flea markets. Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080602105523.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080317100216.htm In most real world settings, consumers encounter and evaluate products in mixed environments -- aspirin and deodorant shelved side-by-side at a pharmacy, or an ad for a tropical vacation next to fashion spread in a magazine. Exposure to information about certain products can cause "spillover" to evaluations of subsequent products. But when does this influence occur? Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080317100216.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080212122053.htm When a new product is released -- say, an even slimmer laptop or the next generation iPhone -- people either find out about it beforehand through an announcement or see it after it hits stores. Does when you hear about a product matter? A new study reveals that whether a new product is already available when people first find out about it can significantly alter how it is evaluated. Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080212122053.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080212122050.htm Despite their strong impact on the marketplace, surprisingly little attention has been paid to the how superstitious beliefs impact decision making. A new study examines the role of lucky and unlucky features and finds that consumers are more disappointed when a product that is supposedly "lucky" breaks. Additionally, even thinking about a "negative" superstition can make consumers more risk averse. Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080212122050.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080207140809.htm Turning native ecosystems into "farms" for biofuel crops causes major carbon emissions that worsen the global warming that biofuels are meant to mitigate, according to a new study. The carbon lost by converting rainforests, peatlands, savannas, or grasslands outweighs the carbon savings from biofuels. Such conversions for corn or sugarcane (ethanol), or palms or soybeans (biodiesel) release 17 to 420 times more carbon than the annual savings from replacing fossil fuels, the researchers said. The carbon, which is stored in the original plants and soil, is released as carbon dioxide, a process that may take decades. This "carbon debt" must be paid before the biofuels produced on the land can begin to lower greenhouse gas levels and ameliorate global warming. Mon, 11 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080207140809.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080123125601.htm It's not always best to be first, finds a new study. Researchers examine how consumers will evaluate new products when they are released by an existing brand (known as "brand extension"). They find that many products may actually benefit from having competition, entering the market as followers rather than as the first of its kind. Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080123125601.htm