Abstract
This study investigates whether the subjective experiences of consumers are altered by exposure to others’ ratings of the same experience. On the basis of theories of memory reconstruction and conformity, the authors conducted two experiments in Sweden and found that consumers’ quality perceptions, ratings, and customer satisfaction were, indeed, affected by the postexperience viewing of others’ ratings, in two different product categories. The findings reflect a desire to maintain a correct representation of reality in which people use others’ ratings as an accuracy heuristic.
- Received October 28, 2021.
- Received (in revised form) October 26, 2022.
- Accepted October 28, 2022.
- Copyright © 2022 ARF. All rights reserved.
ARF MEMBERS
If you are a member of the Advertising Research Foundation, you can access the content by logging in here
Log In
Pay Per Article - You may access this article (from the computer you are currently using) for 30 days for US$20.00
Regain Access - You can regain access to a recent Pay per Article purchase if your access period has not yet expired.