Consuming with Others: Social Influences on Moment-to-Moment and Retrospective Evaluations of Experiences

55 Pages Posted: 15 Feb 2006

See all articles by Suresh Ramanathan

Suresh Ramanathan

University of Chicago - Booth School of Business

Ann L. McGill

University of Chicago - Booth School of Business

Date Written: February 6, 2006

Abstract

Two studies examine differences in participants' moment-to-moment and retrospective evaluations of an experience depending on whether they are alone or in the presence of another person. Findings for the first study reveal that moment-to-moment evaluations by participants who watched a film clip together covaried in patterns consistent with processes of mimicry and emotional contagion. Retrospective evaluations of the experience were influenced by this degree of co-movement, suggesting that a sense of affiliation between those who watched the film together affected the quality of the experience. Study 2 tests and finds support for the hypothesis that shared goals may increase the degree of covariation in moment-to-moment evaluations and the extent to which this shared pattern of judgments affects retrospective evaluation.

Keywords: Emotional Contagion, Experience, Affiliation, Goals, Affect

JEL Classification: M31, C91, C92, C22

Suggested Citation

Ramanathan, Suresh and McGill, Ann L., Consuming with Others: Social Influences on Moment-to-Moment and Retrospective Evaluations of Experiences (February 6, 2006). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=881592 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.881592

Suresh Ramanathan (Contact Author)

University of Chicago - Booth School of Business ( email )

5807 S. Woodlawn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
United States

Ann L. McGill

University of Chicago - Booth School of Business ( email )

5807 S. Woodlawn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
302
Abstract Views
2,444
Rank
184,891
PlumX Metrics