Fitting In

After going over some of these hilarious comics in class, it was quite surprising how many of these Pathetic Geek Stories I relate to. Most of them are embarrassing stories from the awkward phases we all endure through stages like puberty and junior high.

The comic above stood out to me because we have also been reading the book "Predictably Irrational" and have completed reading "Nudge." Both of these books suggest ways that consumers make decisions and how surprisingly irrational and impulsive we often behave. I think this comic exemplifies those ideas further by showing how many silly, irrational decisions we make based off of social influences and following our possy. I know that I have been guilty of "following the herd" and making certain choices because everybody else is doing it. 

In particular, the comic represents the risky shift effect.* The girls are much more likely to shoplift because the group has decided to have a different persona and get rid of their "nice, quiet, smart geek" identities. By shoplifting collectively, they are each held less accountable for their actions than they would be if they were stealing individually. Which brings me to my next point: they probably wouldn't shoplift individually. The power of the group leads them to make a decision that they would not have made on their own. This action can be referred to as deindividuation.** The group clouds the individual identities and morals and makes the girls perhaps go against their core values. 

Of course, this is just a comic strip. However these ideas of behavior that the comic represents I believe influence nearly everyone in everyday lives. Clouding personal values by becoming a homogeneous group can poison everything from politics to that pair of shoes or new gadget that you just have to have.

*Page 412 Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having, and Being by Michael R. Solomon

**Page 412 Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having, and Being by Michael R. Solomon

Have The Olympics Inspired You?

Despite much criticism about the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, I find myself consumed in the competition. Watching these incredible      athletes compete and reach their lifelong goals is really special to watch. Especially when the athletes are representing our home country. 

While viewing these awesome events that the athletes have trained for their entire lives, I can't help but imagine being in their shoes. I find myself slipping away from my actual self and into my ideal self. Though my goals may not lead me to win an Olympic gold medal, I imagine myself landing that dream job, obtaining that prestigious award or diploma or designing my dream home. 

Perhaps, that is in fact why we enjoy watching competitive athletic events. I feel happy and satisfied  seeing other people achieve their goals and feel a sense of motivation and inspiration. Perhaps we only feel that way when it is our team. When Team USA wins a medal, I feel most inspired. And I certainly relate more with feelings of frustration than joy when a rival team is victorious. My point is to enjoy the Olympics for what they are and let yourself become emerged in their triumph. Let a victory consume you and help you visualize your ideal self reaching your goals. Here are a few great moments captured this winter so far. 

Gender Roles

We discussed gender roles a couple of weeks ago after reading Chapter 5 in our textbook. In class we talked about how it is acceptable for women to act masculine to a certain extent, but it is less acceptable for men to act feminine. Companies must pay special attention if they intend to appeal to one gender. Men in particular tend to be more sensitive to seemingly feminine products. For example, women generally don't have any problems using men's razors or smoking Marlboro Reds. On the flip side, you rarely see a man using Secret deodorant or smoking Virginia Slims.

We can see gender identification in commercials like Dr. Pepper Ten that advertises "It's not for women."

And check out this commercial for a woman's product

The latter commercial is unique because it's selling to a woman, but addressing the man's need for masculinity, creating a gap between genders. Interesting tactic!

XLVIII

The Power of social media is quite amazing. Whether you're scrolling through your newsfeed on Facebook or browsing Twitter, there is no possible way you can't know who won the Super Bowl last night. One thing I have noticed is that people tend to think of their favorite football team as an extension of themselves. Who "their team" is defines them. Last night, whether they were rooting for the Denver Broncos or the Seattle Seahawks, people referred to them as theirs or mine. A few lines I read/heard yesterday:

"Can't wait to see my Broncos take another ring."


"The Seahawks have been my team since day one, everybody else is just getting on the bandwagon."


We also tend to see people defending players like they were their own flesh and blood. Although, of course, most fans have never personally met the players.


"Richard Sherman is a good guy. He's brilliant too - graduated from Harvard."


"Manning still had the greatest season of all time and shattered multiple records."

While it is no secret how much Americans love football, it is astonishing just how much we let it define who we are. Like many consumer behavior revelations, it is absurd how much some people let the sport affect their lives. But then again... most of us wouldn't date a Montana Grizzly.