Anthropomorphic Design in Mortality Salience Situations: Exploring Emotional and Non-Emotional Mechanisms Enhancing Consumer Purchase Intentions

This study investigates the role of anthropomorphic design in alleviating consumer anxiety induced by mortality salience and delves into the underlying emotional and non-emotional mechanisms. Through a series of meticulously designed experiments, we confirm that anthropomorphic design significantly...

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Main Authors: Cong Sun, Yuechun Ding, Xinyi Wang, Xing Meng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Behavioral Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/11/1041
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author Cong Sun
Yuechun Ding
Xinyi Wang
Xing Meng
author_facet Cong Sun
Yuechun Ding
Xinyi Wang
Xing Meng
author_sort Cong Sun
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the role of anthropomorphic design in alleviating consumer anxiety induced by mortality salience and delves into the underlying emotional and non-emotional mechanisms. Through a series of meticulously designed experiments, we confirm that anthropomorphic design significantly enhances positive emotional responses in consumers, reduces negative emotions, and thereby increases their preference and willingness to purchase products. Even after the diminution of emotional reactions, anthropomorphic design continues to sustain consumer preference by enhancing psychological intimacy. These findings reveal the crucial role of anthropomorphic design as an effective emotional regulation strategy in consumer purchasing behavior, enriching the application of terror management theory and emotion regulation theory in consumer behavior research. Furthermore, our study provides valuable practical guidance for product design and marketing strategies, especially for consumer groups frequently facing high-pressure situations. Products with anthropomorphic designs may be more appealing to these consumers, helping to mitigate their death anxiety and enhance psychological well-being.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2076-328X
language English
publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Behavioral Sciences
spelling doaj-art-083338fae63f4103851829f6c9955e3c2024-11-26T17:51:28ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2024-11-011411104110.3390/bs14111041Anthropomorphic Design in Mortality Salience Situations: Exploring Emotional and Non-Emotional Mechanisms Enhancing Consumer Purchase IntentionsCong Sun0Yuechun Ding1Xinyi Wang2Xing Meng3Pan Tianshou College of Architecture, Art and Design, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaPan Tianshou College of Architecture, Art and Design, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaPan Tianshou College of Architecture, Art and Design, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaSchool of Business, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaThis study investigates the role of anthropomorphic design in alleviating consumer anxiety induced by mortality salience and delves into the underlying emotional and non-emotional mechanisms. Through a series of meticulously designed experiments, we confirm that anthropomorphic design significantly enhances positive emotional responses in consumers, reduces negative emotions, and thereby increases their preference and willingness to purchase products. Even after the diminution of emotional reactions, anthropomorphic design continues to sustain consumer preference by enhancing psychological intimacy. These findings reveal the crucial role of anthropomorphic design as an effective emotional regulation strategy in consumer purchasing behavior, enriching the application of terror management theory and emotion regulation theory in consumer behavior research. Furthermore, our study provides valuable practical guidance for product design and marketing strategies, especially for consumer groups frequently facing high-pressure situations. Products with anthropomorphic designs may be more appealing to these consumers, helping to mitigate their death anxiety and enhance psychological well-being.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/11/1041anthropomorphic designmortality salienceconsumer emotionsdeath anxietypurchasing behavioremotion regulation
spellingShingle Cong Sun
Yuechun Ding
Xinyi Wang
Xing Meng
Anthropomorphic Design in Mortality Salience Situations: Exploring Emotional and Non-Emotional Mechanisms Enhancing Consumer Purchase Intentions
Behavioral Sciences
anthropomorphic design
mortality salience
consumer emotions
death anxiety
purchasing behavior
emotion regulation
title Anthropomorphic Design in Mortality Salience Situations: Exploring Emotional and Non-Emotional Mechanisms Enhancing Consumer Purchase Intentions
title_full Anthropomorphic Design in Mortality Salience Situations: Exploring Emotional and Non-Emotional Mechanisms Enhancing Consumer Purchase Intentions
title_fullStr Anthropomorphic Design in Mortality Salience Situations: Exploring Emotional and Non-Emotional Mechanisms Enhancing Consumer Purchase Intentions
title_full_unstemmed Anthropomorphic Design in Mortality Salience Situations: Exploring Emotional and Non-Emotional Mechanisms Enhancing Consumer Purchase Intentions
title_short Anthropomorphic Design in Mortality Salience Situations: Exploring Emotional and Non-Emotional Mechanisms Enhancing Consumer Purchase Intentions
title_sort anthropomorphic design in mortality salience situations exploring emotional and non emotional mechanisms enhancing consumer purchase intentions
topic anthropomorphic design
mortality salience
consumer emotions
death anxiety
purchasing behavior
emotion regulation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/11/1041
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AT xinyiwang anthropomorphicdesigninmortalitysaliencesituationsexploringemotionalandnonemotionalmechanismsenhancingconsumerpurchaseintentions
AT xingmeng anthropomorphicdesigninmortalitysaliencesituationsexploringemotionalandnonemotionalmechanismsenhancingconsumerpurchaseintentions