The Science Behind Behavior

Coronavirus Disease 2019

3 Ways Shopping Behavior Has Changed During the Pandemic

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on November 30, 2020

COVID-19 has changed how and where American consumers shop and what they buy.

COVID-19 has changed how and where American consumers shop and what they buy.

Anxiety

Why Are American Shoppers Panic Buying Again?

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on November 23, 2020

The reasons for panic buying are different this time around, and have greater potential to produce harmful consequences for shoppers.

The reasons for panic buying are different this time around, and have greater potential to produce harmful consequences for shoppers.

Consumer Behavior

How Useful Are Likelihood to Recommend Surveys?

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on November 16, 2020

Speed & simplicity are their strong suits, but they fall short in other ways, particularly in aligning the question with the psychology behind the recommendation act.

Speed & simplicity are their strong suits, but they fall short in other ways, particularly in aligning the question with the psychology behind the recommendation act.

Trust

Why Didn't Polls Predict the 2020 Election Results?

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on November 9, 2020

Voter turnout and preference are hard to predict, people give socially desirable responses and the trust between researchers and respondents is fraying.

Voter turnout and preference are hard to predict, people give socially desirable responses and the trust between researchers and respondents is fraying.

Media

What Is Cancel Culture?

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on July 27, 2020

Defining the concept provides the foundation for a shared understanding, leading to clarity and insight.

Defining the concept provides the foundation for a shared understanding, leading to clarity and insight.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How COVID-19 Surcharges Can Benefit Consumers

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on July 20, 2020

Even when they are unavoidable, surcharges help consumers by keeping price increases visible, temporary, and flexible.

Even when they are unavoidable, surcharges help consumers by keeping price increases visible, temporary, and flexible.

Media

Is the Goya Consumer Boycott an Overreaction?

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on July 13, 2020

Without more nuanced consideration, using thin-sliced political outrage in buying decisions will hurt consumer welfare.

Without more nuanced consideration, using thin-sliced political outrage in buying decisions will hurt consumer welfare.

Consumer Behavior

How Consumer Behavior Will Change After the Pandemic

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on May 18, 2020

Three predictions about what will change and, more importantly, what won't.

Three predictions about what will change and, more importantly, what won't.

Media

5 Reasons Why the Plandemic Video Went Viral So Quickly

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on May 11, 2020

Both deliberate and chance aspects of the video lead to its popularity and viral spread.

Both deliberate and chance aspects of the video lead to its popularity and viral spread.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Two Financial Lessons We Should All Learn from the Pandemic

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on May 4, 2020

The disruption's consequences have provided a unique opportunity to start an emergency fund and break the shopping habit.

The disruption's consequences have provided a unique opportunity to start an emergency fund and break the shopping habit.

Social Networking

Why the World Will Stretch After the Pandemic

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on April 27, 2020

The world shrank after 9/11 and the Great Recession. This time will be different.

The world shrank after 9/11 and the Great Recession. This time will be different.

Career

Are Organizations Measuring Diversity the Right Way?

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on April 20, 2020

Vital differences between employees in hidden characteristics are bypassed, but they matter.

Vital differences between employees in hidden characteristics are bypassed, but they matter.

Anxiety

How Anxiety Affects Our Personal Finances

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on April 13, 2020

The relationship between anxiety and saving money is a vicious cycle that is difficult to get out of.

The relationship between anxiety and saving money is a vicious cycle that is difficult to get out of.

Motivation

Why Are Certain Buying Impulses Harmful?

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on April 6, 2020

You should know the distinction between consonant and dissonant impulses. Many buying impulses are dissonant: They conflict with our values and short- and long-term goals.

You should know the distinction between consonant and dissonant impulses. Many buying impulses are dissonant: They conflict with our values and short- and long-term goals.

Anxiety

How Anxiety Affects Our Buying Behaviors

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on March 30, 2020

Anxiety is associated with impulse buying, a preference for safe choices, and those that provide us a semblance of control, as well as an urge to splurge.

Anxiety is associated with impulse buying, a preference for safe choices, and those that provide us a semblance of control, as well as an urge to splurge.

Anxiety

Why Are We Panic Buying During the Coronavirus Pandemic?

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on March 21, 2020

We panic buy to alleviate our fear and anxiety, exert some control, mimic others' behavior, and prepare for a perceived future scarcity of goods.

We panic buy to alleviate our fear and anxiety, exert some control, mimic others' behavior, and prepare for a perceived future scarcity of goods.

Anxiety

How Panic Buying Affects Our Personal Finances

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on March 16, 2020

For many shoppers, panic buying will lead to overspending, greater credit card debt, and even more financial anxiety.

For many shoppers, panic buying will lead to overspending, greater credit card debt, and even more financial anxiety.

Motivation

Can Budgeting Help Us Improve Our Personal Finances?

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on January 27, 2020

Budgeting has many benefits, but they may accrue to those who need them least, who are good with money.

Budgeting has many benefits, but they may accrue to those who need them least, who are good with money.

Environment

Would You Pay $30 for Domino's Pizza in Times Square on New Year's Eve?

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on January 13, 2020

When sellers raise prices temporarily, it’s often mistaken for price gouging, surge pricing, or dynamic pricing, and criticized for the wrong reasons.

When sellers raise prices temporarily, it’s often mistaken for price gouging, surge pricing, or dynamic pricing, and criticized for the wrong reasons.

Consumer Behavior

Why Are Resort Fees So Popular When Consumers Hate Them?

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on January 6, 2020

Cognitive bias causes vacationers to underestimate resort fees when booking hotel rooms.

Cognitive bias causes vacationers to underestimate resort fees when booking hotel rooms.