The Subjective Value of Product Popularity: A Neural Account of How Product Popularity Influences Choice Using a Social and a Quality Focus

Frontiers in Psychology

L. Nynke van der Laan¹  Irene O. J. M. Tijssen²  Hans C. M. van Trijp³  Robert P. G. Goedegebure³ 

[1] Department of Communication and Cognition, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands;Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands;Marketing and Consumer Behavior Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands;

关键词: social influence;    popularity and quality;    decision neuroscience;    fMRI;    judgment and decision making;    product popularity;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2021.738095

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Research on social influences often distinguishes between social and quality incentives to ascribe meaning to the value that popularity conveys. This study examines the neural correlates of those incentives through which popularity influences preferences. This research reports an functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment and a behavioral task in which respondents evaluated popular products with three focus perspectives; unspecified focus, focus on social aspects, and focus on quality. The results show that value derived with a social focus reflects inferences of approval and reward value, and positively affects preferences. Value derived with a quality (versus normal) focus reflects inferences of quality and negatively affects preferences. This study provides evidence of two distinct inferential routes on both a neurological level, represented by different regions in the brain, and a behavioral level. These results provide the first evidence that a single popularity cue can in different ways influence the value derived from product popularity.

【 授权许可】

Unknown