What do all successful fast-food restaurants have in common? Why do men's testosterone levels rise when they drive a Ferrari or a Porsche? Why are women more likely to become compulsive shoppers and men more likely to become addicted to pornography? How does the fashion industry play on our innate need to belong? The answer to all of these questions is "the consuming instinct," the underlying evolutionary basis for most of our consumer behavior. In...

Why do our headaches persist after we take a one-cent aspirin but disappear when we take a fifty-cent aspirin? Why do we splurge on a lavish meal but cut coupons to save twenty-five cents on a can of soup? When it comes to making decisions in our lives, we think we're making smart, rational choices. But are we? In this newly revised and expanded edition of the groundbreaking New York Times bestseller, Dan Ariely refutes the common assumption that...

"We all try to influence others in our daily lives. We are all marketers, whether you are a manager motivating your team, an employee making a big presentation, an activist staging a protest, or a teacher trying to encourage your students. In For the Culture, Marcus Collins argues that true cultural engagement is the most powerful vehicle for influencing behavior. To effectively engage with communities we first need to think hard about what we will...

Wharton professor Jonah Berger draws on his research to explain the six steps that make products or ideas contagious.

"With the whole world trying to convince us to spend our way to happiness, we've been left cluttered, stressed, and unfulfilled. Tara Button, founder of BuyMeOnce, is at the forefront of the global movement to change the way we shop and live forever. Tara advocates a life of mindful buying that celebrates what lasts, giving you exercises that help you curb impulses, ignore trends, and discover your true style" -- Amazon.com.

A video from ECU's archive of documentaries and teaching films. A panel of four consumer research professors discuss the advantages and limitations of quantitative and qualitative research methods. A studio audience then questions the panel on a series of topics including the commercial application of both methods. Produced by David Crewes.

A video from ECU's archive of documentaries and teaching films. In this program Professor Hill describes the procedures to follow in conducting focus groups, the most widely used method of qualitative data collection. Excerpts from a focus group are used to illustrate techniques utilised in conducting this form of research. Produced by David Crewes.

A video from ECU's archive of documentaries and teaching films. In this program Professor Russell Belk describes each of the various continuums of observation from: participant to non participant, obtrusive to non obtrusive, clandestine to open and short term to long term. Professor Belk also discusses the advantages and limitations of observation as a means of data collection plus the use of visual elicitation methods. Produced by David Crewes.

A video from ECU's archive of documentaries and teaching films. In this program Professor Melanie Wallendorf describes the preparation required to conduct a field interview, the mechanics of the interview session and the skills needed to guide an interview in the desired direction. Hints are given to encourage the in depth responses necessary for 'thick description'. Produced by David Crewes.

A video from ECU's archive of documentaries and teaching films. In this episode Professor Ron Hill discusses some of those issues which are constantly raised with regard to qualitative consumer research methods including: subjectivity versus objectivity, scientific integrity, the researcher's presence and ethical considerations. Produced by David Crewes.