Interrupted Consumption: Disrupting Adaptation to Hedonic Experiences

Journal of Marketing Research, Vol. 45, pp. 654-664, December 2008

12 Pages Posted: 21 Nov 2006 Last revised: 17 Aug 2009

See all articles by Leif D. Nelson

Leif D. Nelson

University of California, Berkeley - Haas School of Business

Tom Meyvis

New York University (NYU) - Department of Marketing

Date Written: December 2008

Abstract

Six studies demonstrate that interrupting a consumption experience can make pleasant experiences more enjoyable and unpleasant experiences more irritating, even though consumers avoid breaks in pleasant experiences and choose breaks in unpleasant experiences. Across a variety of hedonic experiences (e.g., listening to noises or songs, sitting in a massage chair), we observe that breaks disrupt hedonic adaptation and, as a result, intensify the subsequent experience.

Keywords: Hedonics, Forecasting

Suggested Citation

Nelson, Leif D. and Meyvis, Tom, Interrupted Consumption: Disrupting Adaptation to Hedonic Experiences (December 2008). Journal of Marketing Research, Vol. 45, pp. 654-664, December 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=946210

Leif D. Nelson (Contact Author)

University of California, Berkeley - Haas School of Business ( email )

545 Student Services Building, #1900
2220 Piedmont Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94720
United States

Tom Meyvis

New York University (NYU) - Department of Marketing ( email )

Henry Kaufman Ctr
44 W 4 St.
New York, NY
United States

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