Optimal Visualization Aids and Temporal Framing for New Products
Journal of Consumer Research, Vol. 41, No. 4, 1137
Rotman School of Management Working Paper No. 2620717
Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management Research Paper No. 2620717
50 Pages Posted: 21 Jun 2015 Last revised: 2 Nov 2015
Date Written: 2014
Abstract
Conventional wisdom suggests that more concrete and detailed information is always helpful in evaluating new products. The current research however demonstrates that when consumers use visualization to evaluate new products, the value of concrete versus abstract visualization is dependent on the temporal perspective taken by the consumer. Specifically, concrete information is beneficial when product visualization is retrospective in nature (i.e., focused on the past), whereas abstract information is found to be more helpful when product visualization is anticipatory in nature (i.e., geared toward the future). This occurs because the match between visualization aids and consumers’ temporal construal facilitates the extent of imagery processing realized, which in turn enhances new product evaluation. When the new product is very difficult to visualize, this pattern of effects is attenuated. Further, the effect is reversed when the product is highly familiar (i.e., not a new product) as pre-existing memories are shown to hinder imagery processing. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
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