The Social Consumer

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cognition

The Life Hack That Will Help You Declutter

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on March 16, 2023

A simple trick can help you to throw out what you no longer need.

A simple trick can help you to throw out what you no longer need.

Relationships

This Valentine’s Day, Don’t Try to Impress

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on February 1, 2023

How to have a great date this Valentine’s Day without even trying.

How to have a great date this Valentine’s Day without even trying.

Happiness

Retail Therapy Versus No-Spend Days?

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on November 23, 2022

Here's how you can shop in a way that actually makes you happy in the long run.

Here's how you can shop in a way that actually makes you happy in the long run.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Shopper Beware: The Temptation of Rapid Delivery

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on September 2, 2022

Have you been tempted to order rapid grocery deliveries? Here's why you might want to think twice before doing so.

Have you been tempted to order rapid grocery deliveries? Here's why you might want to think twice before doing so.

Adolescence

Healthy Food Can Help You Make a Positive Impression

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on July 6, 2022

Consumers often try to impress others by making expensive purchases, but research shows that healthy food choices could also do the trick.

Consumers often try to impress others by making expensive purchases, but research shows that healthy food choices could also do the trick.