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Unfolding consumer impulsivity: An existential–phenomenological study of consumers with attention deficit disorder
Author(s) -
KaufmanScarborough Carol,
Cohen Judy
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
psychology and marketing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.035
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1520-6793
pISSN - 0742-6046
DOI - 10.1002/mar.20022
Subject(s) - impulsivity , psychology , perspective (graphical) , consumption (sociology) , consumer behaviour , existentialism , cognitive psychology , social psychology , developmental psychology , aesthetics , philosophy , artificial intelligence , computer science , epistemology
Abstract This article attempts to unfold consumer impulsivity by gathering in‐depth stories from persons whose impulsivity is a lifetime trait because of their attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD). The manuscript provides overviews of impulsivity, ADD, and impulsive consumer behavior. Insights into possible consumer‐behavior challenges are offered from an information‐processing perspective. Through thematic analysis of the respondents' lifetime stories, this study helps illuminate the black box of the consumer's mind with respect to impulsive consumption, by relating impulsive consumer behavior to specific problems in information processing. As such, it not only contributes to understanding of the consumer behavior of those with ADD, but also presents a kinder and gentler picture of consumers who are dealing with information overload and frustration, rather than what might be a more common stereotype of consumers who are simply out of control. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.