Easier is not always better: The moderating role of processing type on preference fluency

Jesper H. Nielsen, Jennifer Edson Escalas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

Prior research has shown that preference fluency (i.e., the subjective feeling that forming a preference is easy or difficult) systematically influences consumer choices. When deciding on an option feels difficult, or requires effort, consumers are likely to select a different option or defer the decision. We find that under conditions of narrative processing, difficulty in processing can actually improve preferences because more effort leads to more transportation, or immersion, into the story, thus enhancing brand evaluations. Three experiments demonstrate that the effect of preference fluency reverses when consumers think about a brand as part of a story.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)295-305
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology
Volume20
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2010
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Psychology
  • Marketing

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Easier is not always better: The moderating role of processing type on preference fluency'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this