How is promotion-focused and prevention-focused self-regulation linked with the importance of product attributes and purchase intention?

  • Anna Maria Zawadzka University of Gdańsk
  • Joanna Rybarczyk-Adamska
  • Anna Dedelis
Keywords: consumer preferences; self-regulation; prevention; promotion

Abstract

Two experiments were carried out to examine consumer preferences in the context of Higgins’ Regulatory Focus Theory. Study 1 (N = 134) tested whether chronic regulatory focus (RFQ) and momentary regulatory focus affect the importance attached to functional and hedonic product attributes. Study 2 (N = 240) checked whether the regulatory fit of consistent or inconsistent advertisements (types of advertisement appeal: prevention and promotion, and types of products: functional and hedonic) and chronic regulatory focus (RFQ) are linked with intention to purchase an advertised product. The results obtained in study 1 indicated that prevention momentary regulatory focus or promotion chronic regulatory focus influence the importance attached to utilitarian product attributes, whereas no such influence was observed for the importance attached to hedonic product attributes. The results obtained in study 2 showed that consistent promotion advertising and promotion chronic regulatory focus affect the intention to buy a product. Moreover, the findings demonstrated that inconsistent advertisements (i.e. hedonic product and prevention advertising appeal) and promotion chronic regulatory focus affect the intention to purchase a product. It was also found that there is no significant influence of consistent prevention advertising and prevention chronic regulatory focus on the intention to buy a product.

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Published
2019-03-29
Section
Articles