Does Advertising Effect You?

[Thomas Paine]

Advertising like commercials, internet ads, billboards...

Do you believe that it affects your decision making?

[Jnmcda0]

Definitely. Ads that make claims to try to sell something usually don't have an effect on me, as I'm very skeptical about claims made in ads. However, I'm often affected by the visual image of something (for instance, if I see an ad for Pizza Hut, I might think "mmm...that looks good" and my mouth salivates at the thought of eating pizza). Also, infomercials that demonstrate the use of a product often make me wish I had one (although I've never bought a product off an infomercial, except a few that I bought at the store long after it was first introduced).

Ads that talk about a discount for something I might buy anyway can be effective. It only works if the item is normally at a fixed price, though. For instance, car commercials that offer $2000 cash back or something similar have no effect on me because the price of cars are negotiable to begin with and you can shop around to get the best deal.

Contrast that with, say, a Big Mac at McDonald's. The price of a Big Mac is non-negotiable and will be the same at pretty much any McDonald's you go to in the area. So, if it is offered at a discount, I'm more likely to go buy one. This brings up another area where I'm susceptible to advertising...branding. If I see a Burger King commercial, it makes me not just want any hamburger, it makes me want a Burger King hamburger (well, actually, I prefer a double cheeseburger).

Billboards and internet ads have virtually no effect on me. The only time a billboard might have an effect is if I'm on a long road trip and I see a sign that a restaurant is coming up at the next exit.

[Thomas Paine]

I'm fairly aware of the affect it has on me as well. I am (at least consciously) immune to internet advertising too, but I'm pretty sure it is still programming my subconscious cravings.

I read an interesting article recently about how a group of children were given a bite of a McDonald's sandwich wrapped in plain, non-McDonald's packaging. And also given a bite of the same exact type of sandwich in plain, unrecognizable packaging, and they universally said that the one in the McDonald's packaging tasted better.

I don't know if that has to do with all of the advertising by McDonald's targeting children, or just the flashy packaging (which is a form of advertising targeting children), but it is kind of disturbing.

I also read that even people who deny being affected by advertising were still found, in studies, to be affected by them without even realizing it.

This is one of my favorite clips from Futurama (When Fry learns that commercials are being broadcast over dreams.):

http://www.movieweb.com/video/HUL5DUMSkq02OU

[glarmph]

I voted no. I don't watch tv, listen to the radio, or really go anywhere but work, so it doesn't affect me that much. Or as much as it used to. But if you come into contact with it on a daily basis there's no way you can avoid it creeping into your mind, even on a subconscious level.

[Eric32]

No.

[pointy]

I don't think advertising makes me want to go out and buy a product that I wouldn't otherwise. I'm certain that it makes me more comfortable with particular brands though.

[Amelia]

Yes, probably. I won't deliberately buy a product just because I've seen it advertised, but if I'm looking for a product to do a particular task, e.g. detergent, I'm probably more likely to pick a brand that seems more familiar or "reputable". That will most likely be because I've seen advertised. I think adverts work on a subconscious level a lot of the time.

[Ospi]

Subconsciously probably. Being around motor racing EVERYTHING is about sponsorship, so you grow familiar with certain branding on certain cars etc and it does have an impact on decision making for me. I suppose I associate companies who can sponsor F1 cars as being high on the pecking order :P

But in the end, for expensive purchases I always do my research anyway, so it does not get me into trouble.

[pyramidsong]

Generally only in the negative- for example if I see an ad that objectifies or infantilizes women or manipulates/patronizes them in an attempt to sell them cleaning or beauty products, I make a point of *not* buying those things. I'm generally immune to junk food ads, although very occasionally I will see a food and crave it but only rarely, I think fast food is gross and I object to the unethical practices of a lot of those companies, like KFC or McDonald's.

I don't buy into the "youth" market either regarding clothing or gadgets as I don't give a s*** what is cool and see no reason to buy something just because everyone else is.

Then again I read a fair bit of alternative literature (things like Adbusters and No Logo) so I can see through quite a lot of the marketing tricks. In fact I kind of loathe marketing as an industry in general. If I meet someone and they tell me they're in advertising I tend to lose respect for them. It frustrates me that people are stupid enough to buy stuff they don't need and can't afford just because they're told they're supposed to. Consumerism is gross.

[Thomas Paine]

A logical argument is that these companies would never spend millions of dollars on advertising if it didn't work.

[pyramidsong]

Sad but true. People are sheep who lack critical thinking skills.

[Cerberus]

Part of the reason I stopped watching television for the most part is because I dislike how many commercials there are and I dislike that they impact me subconsciously. Nothing else quite has the impact that television advertising does. People passively take in these manipulative commercials. And I'm not paying for DVR.

[Atticus]

I'm sure I'm affected by the images and the associations made, not so much to buy a particular product, but in ways that create and reinforce the value of a particular look, lifestyle, and so on. I try to be awre of it, but I think the effects are insidious.

Like pyramidsong only regarding a different perspective, I will avoid products that depict men as idiots who need a woman to help them make any decision more complicated than deciding which hand to scratch his crotch with. That gets really old.

[shyvr6]

I used to find it amusing when I would find the hidden product placements in movies.

[Zirnitra]

Advertising affects everyone, I mean seriously I've never seen anyone who hasn't drank coke or eaten McDonald's.

[pyramidsong]

Originally Posted by Atticus

Like pyramidsong only regarding a different perspective, I will avoid products that depict men as idiots who need a woman to help them make any decision more complicated than deciding which hand to scratch his crotch with. That gets really old.

I agree with this. I don't think sexism towards anyone is ok.

[christ~in~me]

if it has a famous song...it affects my descision

[pyramidsong]

Are you serious? Not to attack you personally, but that is exactly what advertisers are counting on to suck people in. You're being manipulated.

[Thomas Paine]

I'm amazed that nearly half of the people are in denial that it even affects them. I imagine it would be a greater percentage in denial in the general public though.

[christ~in~me]

Originally Posted by Zirnitra

Advertising affects everyone, I mean seriously I've never seen anyone who hasn't drank coke or eaten McDonald's.

exactly!