Seminar: Jennifer Argo, University of Alberta

The Silent Influencers: The Impact of Mannequins in the Retail Context

Jennifer Argo
University of Alberta

Date: March 21, 2014
Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Room 245

Abstract: 

The present research seeks to provide the first academic investigation on how mannequins impact consumers. We propose that because mannequins are idealized images of what society deems as perfect (as they have no beauty flaws) they are a powerful source of social comparison information, especially for those individuals who are sensitive to appearance-related cues (i.e., those low in appearance self-esteem (ASE)). Further, we demonstrate that due to their perfect appearance, mannequins pose a self-threat to consumers low in ASE and this in turn has negative implications for product attitudes and evaluations.

For more information, please contact Cynthia Wong at: cynthia.wong3 [at] mcgill.ca.