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This research note addresses a significant gap in the literature regarding the underlying mechanisms of purchase decision-making that lead to unplanned and impulse purchases. Although several papers have highlighted the differences between the two purchase types, recent academic publications continue to use those terms interchangeably. Through a systematic literature review, this study identified six high-level constructs, in line the Theoretical Domains Framework, that effectively differentiate unplanned from impulse purchase types. Overall, impulse (vs. unplanned) purchases have a primary association with automatic (vs. reflective) motivation. With these findings, academic researchers can better define the types of purchase they are investigating, including the main constructs and underlying psychological mechanisms that are associated with these purchases. As a result, this study substantially improves the reliability of knowledge in this domain. Additionally, this study may encourage marketers to expand their existing toolkits with a broader set of activities that can drive these different purchase types. For instance, marketers could appeal to different underlying purchase decision-making mechanisms: for unplanned purchases, they could offer reminders of related products; for impulse purchases, they could focus on immediate gratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention tools designed to help people save more or spend less money by enhancing their capabilities, motivations, and opportunities. The participants included 177 students from an English University who were randomly allocated to either the Control, Savings-Tool, or Savings+Habit-Tools group. Participants provided with the intervention tool(s) for 4 weeks were more likely to experience improvements in both their financial satisfaction and subjective perceptions than those in the Control group not asked to use either tool. The tools did not significantly affect financial behaviors or objective financial wellness. The discussion examines limitations of the study and discusses avenues for future research such as including a longer follow-up period.

The current paper explores how people's goal strivings are influenced by feedback (positively valenced vs. negatively valenced), progress monitoring (remaining vs. accumulated) and goal specificity (vague vs. specific). Two laboratory-based experiments were performed. Experiment 1 reveals that, after receiving positively valenced feedback, participants who focus on accumulated progress show larger boosts in persistence than participants who focus on remaining progress. In contrast, after receiving negatively valenced feedback, participants who focus on remaining progress show larger boosts in persistence than participants who focus on accumulated progress. Experiment 2 extends the scope of the paper from understanding the effects of progress monitoring on goal striving to the effects goal specificity on goal striving. Experiment 2 shows that after receiving negatively valenced feedback, participants asked to consider specific goals (and so likely focus on remaining progress) show more persistence than participants asked to consider vague goals (and so likely focus on accumulated progress). These findings have important implications for motivation theory and applied practice., Author(s): Leah Borovoi [sup.1] , Kelly Schmidtke [sup.2] , Ivo Vlaev [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.412512.1, 0000 0004 0604 7424, Department of Psychology, Open University of Israel, , Derekh ha-Universita [...]

Previous observational studies have indicated that social influences, such as arising from herding-like behaviour, can contribute to medical errors. In this study, we experimentally examined whether general practitioners (GPs) would follow incorrect prescription recommendations from fellow GP or specialists. To investigate this, we conducted an online survey with 475 GPs practicing in England that included two case vignettes. Case vignette 1 focused on sleeping tablets, and case vignette 2 was centred around antibiotics. The vignettes were presented in random order, and within each vignette, study participants were assigned to one of three experimental conditions: control condition (lacking peer recommendation), fellow GP condition (including a recommendation from a fellow GP not aligned with best practice clinical guidelines), or specialist condition (including a recommendation from a specialist not aligned with best practice clinical guidelines). The primary outcome measure was the proportion of GPs who prescribed medication that deviated from best practice clinical guidelines. We found that, in both case vignettes, the percentage of respondents prescribing such medication was highest in those assigned to the specialist condition, followed by those assigned to the control condition. It was lowest in those assigned to the fellow GP condition (case vignette 1: 73.8% vs. 55.6% vs. 36.6% and case vignette 2: 24.0% vs. 12.4% vs. 10.1%). In the case of vignette 1, the difference between the fellow GP condition and the control condition is statistically significant, suggesting that GPs are less likely to prescribe sleeping tablets when recommended by a fellow GP. This implies that GPs are more inclined to prescribe non-guideline-recommended medication when advised by specialists. This study is the first to experimentally demonstrate that physician herding behaviour can result in prescription errors. Future research could extend this inquiry to diverse contexts, including diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumer interest in plant-based milk alternatives is growing, despite extra charges in coffeehouses. While much research exists on non-dairy alternatives, plant-based milks in coffee drinks remain understudied. This study examines consumer preferences and behaviors regarding milk alternatives in coffee, using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW). A survey of 200 participants from 19 countries explored demographics, coffee habits, attitudes towards non-dairy milk charges, and marketing awareness. Market insights showed taste as the main reason for coffee choice, with a preference for cow's milk and local cafes for quality. Many opposed the extra charges for non-dairy options, citing lactose intolerance or allergies, especially among Gen Z and Millennials. Regional variations included stronger opposition in the UK and Germany compared to the UAE and USA. The marketing for non-dairy milk was less memorable than general coffee advertisements. Regression analysis confirmed that viewing non-dairy milk as a dietary staple increased consumption, aligning with the TDF's "Beliefs about Consequences" domain. Finally, within the BCW framework, the intervention strategies centered on training and coercion were discussed. Implementing these approaches could encourage the wider adoption of non-dairy milk options in coffee shops, fostering inclusivity, health awareness, and supporting environmental sustainability efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has shown that risk preferences are sensitive to the financial domain in which they are framed. In the present study we explore whether the effect of valence priming on risk taking is moderated by the financial context under consideration. A total of 260 participants completed an online questionnaire where risky choices were elicited for seven different financial scenarios. Participants were allocated to different valence (neutral, positive or negative) and arousal (low or high) priming conditions. Two factors were extracted: Factor 1 (Negative) included insurance and possibility of loss, whilst Factor 2 (Positive) included the remaining five scenarios (investment, salary, pension, possibility of gain, and mortgage). Moreover, only negative priming-regardless of arousal level-influenced people's risky choices by inducing more risk-averse behavior; this effect was confined only to loss and insurance domains. The findings call into question the generalizability of priming effects on different financial context and show that the effects of priming on financial risk taking are sensitive to the financial context under consideration., Author(s): Silvio Aldrovandi [sup.1] , Petko Kusev [sup.2] , Tetiana Hill [sup.3] , Ivo Vlaev [sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.19822.30, 0000 0001 2180 2449, Department of Psychology, Birmingham City University, [...]

People with a greater sense of purpose in life may be more likely to engage in physical activity. At the same time, physical activity can contribute to a sense of purpose in life. The present research tests these hypotheses using a cross-lagged panel model in a nationally representative, longitudinal panel of American adults (N = 14,159, M.sub.age = 68). An increase in sense of purpose in life was associated with higher physical activity four years later, above and beyond past activity levels. Physical activity was positively associated with future levels of sense of purpose in life, controlling for prior levels of purpose in life. Results held in a second national panel from the US with a nine-year follow-up (N = 4,041, M.sub.age = 56). The findings demonstrate a bidirectional relationship between sense of purpose in life and physical activity in large samples of middle-aged and older adults tracked over time., Author(s): Ayse Yemiscigil [sup.1] , Ivo Vlaev [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.38142.3c, 000000041936754X, Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University, , 1737 Cambridge St, 02138, Cambridge, MA, [...]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the behavioural determinants of work-related benefits claimants' training behaviours and to suggest ways to improve claimants' compliance with training referrals. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 Jobcentre Plus staff and training providers, and 60 claimants. Claimants were sampled based on whether or not they had been mandated to training and whether or not they subsequently participated. Along with general findings, differences between these groups are highlighted. Findings: Claimants' behaviours are affected by their capabilities, opportunities, and motivations in interrelated ways. Training programmes should appreciate this to better ensure claimants' completion of training programmes. Originality/value: Whilst past papers have largely examined a limited number of factors that affect claimants' training behaviours, this report offers a synchronised evaluation of all the behavioural factors that affect claimants' training behaviours.

This investigation uncovers the factors influencing financial capability by utilizing behavioural science and ethnography. The study employs a representative sample from across the United Kingdom with a total of 72 households. This presents a unique opportunity to establish how the general population understands and utilises money, their views and attitudes towards money, and how this impacted each of the three financial behaviours. This investigation utilised a behaviour change theory to comprehensively and systematically encompass influences on the three behaviours underpinning financial capability. We were also able to design interventions based upon the most significant influencing factors. As such the interventions could simultaneously reduce the impact of significant barriers and further accentuate the effect of enablers to each financial behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in communication technologies enable potential provision of remote education for patients using computer-generated environments known as virtual worlds. Previous research has revealed highly variable levels of patient receptiveness to using information technologies for healthcare-related purposes. This preliminary study involved implementing a questionnaire investigating attitudes and access to computer technologies of respiratory outpatients in order to assess potential for use of virtual worlds to facilitate health-related education for this sample. Ninety-four patients with a chronic respiratory condition completed surveys, which were distributed at a Chest Clinic. In accordance with our prediction, younger participants were more likely to be able to use and have access to a computer, and some patients were keen to explore use virtual worlds for healthcare-related purposes: Of those with access to computer facilities, 14.50% expressed a willingness to attend a virtual world focus group. Results indicate that future virtual world health education facilities should be designed to cater to younger patients because this group is most likely to accept and use such facilities. Within the study sample, this is likely to comprise of people diagnosed with asthma. Future work could investigate the potential of creating a virtual world asthma education facility.