Impulsive Consumption and Reflexive Thought: Nudging Ethical Consumer Behavior

Leonhard K. Lades

Papers on Economics and Evolution from Philipps University Marburg, Department of Geography

Abstract: The paper deals with impulsive consumption and highlights the roles that cognitive and motivational aspects of reflexive thought (namely self-control and self-image motives, respectively) play in intertemporal decisions. While self-control inhibits individuals from consuming impulsively, self-image motives can induce impulsive consumption. Based on recent neuroscientific findings about 'wanting'–'liking' dissociations, the paper presents a potential motivational mechanism underlying such impulsive consumption decisions. Utilizing the knowledge of this mechanism and acknowledging both cognitive and motivational aspects of reflexive thought, the paper expands on three libertarian paternalistic means to foster an ethical way of impulsive consumption: strengthening willpower, reducing impulsive desires to consume, and guiding impulsive behavior in ethical directions by making salient certain self-images that favor ethical consumption.

Keywords: Impulsive Consumption; 'Wanting' versus 'Liking'; Ethical Consumption; Libertarian Paternalism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B B52 D03 D91 K2 Q3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 27 pages
Date: 2012-03-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cbe, nep-evo and nep-neu
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:esi:evopap:2012-03

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