• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.7-15
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• 2014

Purpose - This study aims to explore the factors that can trigger the escalation of an initially pursued long-term utilitarian goal that is set aside to pursue a competing hedonic goal. Research Design, Data, and Methodology - The experimental study covered three groups : Group 1 (ego-depletion, self-referencing), Group 2 (ego-depletion, neutral), and Group 3 (no ego-depletion, neutral). The participants of the study comprised 150 undergraduates who were divided into three groups of 50 students for each. One-way ANOVA and regression analyses were used to verify the hypotheses. Results - Ego-depleted consumers are less likely to resist immediate temptation than those who are not in an ego-depletion state. Self-referencing has a positive impact on long-term goal reversion when consumers in an ego-depletion state experience immediate temptations. Counteractive construal plays a mediating role between self-referencing and long-term goal reversion. Conclusions - We found that consumers tend to yield to momentary temptations when they are in an ego-depletion state. Self-referencing and counteractive construal can eliminate the ego-depletion effect and then facilitates escalation of the set-aside long-term goal.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2021

Prior research on consumer psychology has primarily focused on when and why consumers exhibit impulsive behavior, such as impulse buying. This study focuses on physical stimulation during an impulse purchase as another meaningful factor. Specifically, this study examines whether thirst depletes cognitive resources. The results of two experiments show that impulse purchase tendency increases when consumers are thirsty (Exp. 1), and that the loss of self-control is based on the relationship between thirst and impulse purchase tendency (Exp. 2). These findings suggest that physical stimulation, such as thirst, may be a useful indicator of impulsive behavior in consumers.