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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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NEWS ABOUT: consumer psychology

consumer psychology stories: 6 news summaries

 Ads Tap Into US Bitterness 

Commercials get angry at CEOs, uppity lifestyles

(Newser) - Seeking to key into the national mood, the latest spots from Madison Avenue are uncharacteristically angry, the New York Times reports. “We’re turning up the volume in relation to what our customers are feeling,” says the marketing head at Kodak, whose new printer ads slam the “... More »

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advertising JetBlue Eastman Kodak anger Madison Avenue consumer psychology advertising agency Miller High Life Jay-ZTV

Herd Mentality Moves Many to Needless Penny-Pinching

Psychology has everyone spending less, even those who don't need to

(Newser) - Amid the economic distress, many people who can spend as freely as they could before aren’t, the Washington Post reports. Such consumers, economists say, take psychological cues from friends and the media and pinching pennies needlessly—which only helps deepen the downturn. Upper-income consumers cut spending from $185 in... More »

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recession psychology consumer spending consumer psychology financial crisis economic crisis

OPINION

Crisis Turns Econ Theory
on Its Ear:

Models, and pols, don't account for biases, insecurities: Brooks

(Newser) - Classical economics is based on the idea that “reason rides the passions the way a rider sits atop a horse,” David Brooks writes in the New York Times—which means classical economics is pretty much out the window right now. The recession proves the market is a psychological... More »

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investors economics psychology free markets consumer psychology economy financial crisis

 For Wealthy, 
 It's Cool to Be Cheap 

Twin concerns drive new consumer psyche

(Newser) - Affluent Americans are folding up the Gucci sunglasses and trying green living's thriftier practices on for size, a response to environmental and economic concerns that's sure to dampen spending for the duration of the recession, the Wall Street Journal reports. "People aren't shopping to feel better," said one... More »

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consumer spending luxury goods credit crisis consumer psychology green revolution financial crisis

In Good Times and Bad,
Looks Matter

Execs' trustworthy appearance can mislead consumers

(Newser) - Did so many people believe IndyMac CEO Michael Perry's assurances that his company was doing fine because of his baby face? A forthcoming study suggests that soft features like "large eyes, small nose, high forehead and small chin," engender more favorable bias in viewers, the Washington Post reports.... More »

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CEO IndyMac appearances subprime crisis consumer psychology corporate execs

Phone Makers Chase Fickle Customers

Execs obsess over consumer wants, 'subliminal' needs

(Newser) - With the cellphone industry increasingly hit-driven, phone designers are plumbing the consumer psyche through cultural experts and focus groups, reports the New York Times. "Our job is to be behaviorists and psychologists," says an exec. Competition has heated up as consumers buy—and discard—phones at an... More »

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cell phones iPhone Apple design Nokia product design cell phone industry LG Electronics consumer psychology

6 Stories