Our Brains on Marketing: Scans Show Why We Like New Things

KingPin · #1 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 21:26

Not many people know but apart from being a world class professional SEO/SEM *cough* I also hold a BSc in Psychology and I frequently apply my knowledge to my marketing strategies.

Below is an excerpt to an article which may explain why marketers are able to exploit our sense of adventure and fascination with things we perceive as fresh.

We know not to judge a book by its cover—but new research shows that may be exactly what we do.

Scientists have discovered that novel objects perk up the reward system of our brains, indicating our sense of adventure—exploring or learning something new—may be just as tempting as cash and other prizes in the choices we make. Researchers say the finding may explain why marketers are able to bolster sagging sales by simply repackaging old products.

Brain processes "might encourage you to sample [products previously dismissed] again—even though it doesn't make much sense," says Bianca Wittmann, a neuroscientist at University College London's Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and co-author of the study published today in the journal Neuron. "Just because it has new packaging doesn't mean it has gotten much better."

More here

KP