Neuromarketing Research Practices: Attitudes, Ethics, and Behavioral Intentions

Abstract

As a new addition to the marketing research toolbox, neuromarketing science has given rise to a variety of questions relevant to consumer perceptions of this nascent area of investigation. Neuromarketing researchers are dependent on consumer involvement as research participants, and finding means to educate the public about neuromarketing is a priority for professionals working in the field. This article describes the results of two online questionnaire studies focused on the role of personal constructs presumed to underlie perceptions of neuromarketing research. The findings point to neuromarketing research knowledge, attitudes toward science, attitudes toward technology, and ethical ideology as important factors linked to neuromarketing research attitudes, perceptions of the ethicality of neuromarketing research, and willingness to participate in neuromarketing studies. We discuss the implications of our findings for educating the public about neuromarketing research and encouraging research participation, and we conclude by suggesting directions for future research.

Keywords:

• neuromarketing research
• research ethics
• ethical ideology
• neuromarketing
• research attitudes

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank Chris Waller, Anne-Françoise Audrain-Pontevia, and Ludwig Bstieler for their assistance in data collection.