Toward a Clinical Consumer Psychology

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Consumer Behavior
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Clinical consumer psychology integrates understanding of psychological dysfunction with consumer behavior.
• Existing research demonstrates the impact of maladaptive cognitive and behavioral processes on consumer experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define and promote the field of clinical consumer psychology.
• To identify key priorities for future research in this interdisciplinary area.
• To elucidate the synergistic relationship between clinical consumer psychology and related fields.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual framework development.
• Literature review of recent research examples.
• Delineation of research priorities.

Main Results:

• A clear definition of clinical consumer psychology is provided.
• Ten broad priorities for future research are outlined.
• The bi-directional benefits for consumer psychology, marketing, social cognition, and clinical psychology are discussed.

Conclusions:

• Clinical consumer psychology offers a valuable paradigm for understanding consumer behavior through a clinical lens.
• Future research in this area holds significant potential for advancing both consumer and clinical psychology.
• The integration of these fields promises novel insights into judgment and decision-making processes.