Apr
24

The disappointment of things

Bobulate postulates:

Research shows that buying objects is ultimately more disappointing than buying experiences:

Psychological research tells us that this disappointment is particularly pronounced when people buy things like mp3 players or watches, compared with experiences like vacations or concert tickets (see: experiences beat possessions).

The researchers explore six reasons why objects are less satisfying than their experiential counterparts:

1. Objects are easy to compare unfavourably
2. A “maximising” strategy leaves us less satisfied
3. Material purchases more likely to be re-evaluated
4. The new option effect
5. The reduced price effect
6. A cheaper rival

This seems problematic. The research suggests, then, that if we design objects in the context of a larger experience then we’ll lower the risk of disappointment. What is the difference between “object” and “experience” though? That distinction seems very much at the discretion of an individual, not the designer. 

Source bobulate

Reblogged from bobulate

Notes

  1. oohkredlen reblogged this from bobulate
  2. klgherkin reblogged this from bobulate
  3. amberette reblogged this from timetopretend
  4. timetopretend reblogged this from saltykissses
  5. saltykissses reblogged this from colbyjackcunt and added:
    Research shows that buying...is ultimately more disappointing
  6. colbyjackcunt reblogged this from bobulate
  7. georgiannaday reblogged this from longlivethequeen
  8. fluorescentelizabeth reblogged this from bobulate
  9. thisisminah reblogged this from fuckyeahpsychology
  10. the-blind-literatus reblogged this from bobulate
  11. shriyashriyashriya reblogged this from bobulate and added:
    “Psychological research tells us that this disappointment is particularly pronounced when people buy things like mp3...
  12. alittlebitofmoonshine reblogged this from bobulate
  13. sonsofthewest reblogged this from bobulate
  14. stuff-to-think-about reblogged this from bobulate
  15. dailybunch reblogged this from bobulate and added:
    Bobulate postulates:
  16. borntobeadancer reblogged this from bobulate
  17. cocospencer reblogged this from bobulate
  18. cocospencer reblogged this from bobulate
  19. anakunik reblogged this from fuckyeahpsychology
  20. catchingsunlight reblogged this from coulsonisms
  21. white-crow reblogged this from fuckyeahpsychology
  22. fuckyeahpsychology reblogged this from karri
  23. wanderlust-love reblogged this from the-iridescence
  24. broken----wing reblogged this from bobulate
  25. mismith reblogged this from postmodernista
  26. zoebowie reblogged this from bobulate