Using sublexical priming to enhance brand name phonetic symbolism effects in young children

Stacey M. Baxter (), Jasmina Ilicic, Alicia Kulczynski and Tina M. Lowrey
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Stacey M. Baxter: The University of Newcastle
Jasmina Ilicic: Monash University
Alicia Kulczynski: The University of Newcastle
Tina M. Lowrey: HEC Paris

Marketing Letters, 2017, vol. 28, issue 4, No 6, 565-577

Abstract: Abstract We examine whether phonetic symbolism effects are conditional on the development of phonological awareness (an ability to recognize sounds in words). Further, we introduce sublexical priming as a means to enhance phonetic symbolism effects. Across four experiments, we demonstrate that product evaluations, consistent with phonetic symbolism theory, are more (less) likely when a child is older (younger). Specifically, older children who can recognize sounds in words perceive back vowel brand names (e.g., Vopoz) as slower, heavier, larger, smoother, creamier, chewier, and thicker than brand names with front vowel sounds (e.g., Vipiz). In addition, we show that phonetic symbolism effects manifest when younger children (low in phonological awareness) are primed to focus on parts of a word/s, which we term sublexical priming. We present embedded tasks and chunking of brand names as strategic communication techniques that can be implemented as sublexical primes to enhance phonetic symbolism effects in younger children.

Keywords: Phonetic symbolism; Children; Phonological awareness; Priming; Sublexical (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11002-017-9430-9

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