
The Influence of Psychosocial Factors on the Popularity of Consumer Behavior
- 1 University of Pittsburgh
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This essay delves into the profound impact of psychosocial factors on the emergence and diffusion of popularity, highlighting the intricate dynamics that govern consumer preferences. The herding effect, wherein individuals follow the majority, is a pivotal force shaping trends. Consumers are drawn to products or ideas with widespread acceptance, influenced by the collective consciousness of society. Aesthetics also wield significant influence, as visually and sensory pleasing attributes enhance a product's appeal, contributing to its popularity. Moreover, the compelling drive of social affiliation emerges as a powerful force shaping consumer choices. The inherent human need for belonging and acceptance influences product selection, amplified by social media platforms where individuals showcase preferences, creating virtual spaces for exchanging ideas and trends.In conclusion, the interplay of psychosocial factors, including the herding effect, aesthetic appeal, and social affiliation, profoundly shapes the landscape of consumer popularity. Recognizing and understanding these influences are crucial for businesses, marketers, and policymakers navigating the ever-evolving societal context of consumer behavior. By acknowledging the potency of these factors, stakeholders can strategically leverage them to anticipate and respond to shifts in consumer preferences, ultimately fostering successful engagement in the dynamic marketplace.
Keywords
Popularity, Psychosocial, Consumer
[1]. Baddeley, Michelle. “Herding, Social Influence and Economic Decision-Making: Socio-Psychological and Neuroscientific Analyses.” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 27 Jan. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2827453/.
[2]. Written by Barbara Kekes-Szabo Last updated: June 22, et al. “Social Proof: 12 Ways Customers Get Inspired to Buy.” Antavo, 22 June 2023, antavo.com/blog/social-proof/.
[3]. Hayes, Adam. "Herd Instinct: Definition, Stock Market Examples, & How to Avoid." Investopedia, Investopedia, www.investopedia.com/terms/h/herdinstinct.asp. Accessed 30 Aug. 2023.
[4]. Computers in Human Behavior - Self-Determination Theory, selfdeterminationtheory.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2013_PrzybylskiMurayamaDeHaanGladwell_CIHB.pdf. Accessed 1 Sept. 2023.
[5]. Kokemuller, Neil. "Why Do People Buy Brand Names?" Small Business - Chron.Com, Chron.com, 28 Jan. 2019, smallbusiness.chron.com/people-buy-brand-names-69654.html.
[6]. Charters, Stephen. "Aesthetic Products and Aesthetic Consumption: A Review." Research Online, ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworks/1826/. Accessed 30 Aug. 2023.
[7]. Freudmann, Aviva. "Customers Want Customization, and Companies Are Giving It to Them." The New York Times, The New York Times, 18 Mar. 2020,
[8]. "Why Your Customers' Social Identities Matter." Harvard Business Review, 11 Oct. 2015, hbr.org/2015/01/why-your-customers-social-identities-matter.
[9]. “How the Need to Belong Drives Human Behavior, with Geoffrey L. Cohen, Phd.” American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/human-behavior. Accessed 1 Sept. 2023.
[10]. Page, Vanessa. “The Psychology behind Why People Buy Luxury Goods.” Investopedia, Investopedia, www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/091115/psychology-behind-why-people-buy-luxury-goods.asp. Accessed 1 Sept. 2023.
Cite this article
Zhang,T. (2024). The Influence of Psychosocial Factors on the Popularity of Consumer Behavior. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,60,35-39.
Data availability
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.
Disclaimer/Publisher's Note
The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of EWA Publishing and/or the editor(s). EWA Publishing and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.
About volume
Volume title: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Social Psychology and Humanity Studies
© 2024 by the author(s). Licensee EWA Publishing, Oxford, UK. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and
conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. Authors who
publish this series agree to the following terms:
1. Authors retain copyright and grant the series right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this
series.
2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the series's published
version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial
publication in this series.
3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and
during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See
Open access policy for details).