SlideShare a Scribd company logo
The Brand Logo: Confidence Booster or Source of Insecurity?
Taylor Speer, Harvey Pines & Judith Larkin
Submitted to Annual Convention of American Psychological Association
August, 2015, Toronto, Canada
According to research by Wang and Griskevicius (2014), brand logos can function to boost self-
esteem, express identity, and signal status. They observed, for example, that women use luxury products
to deter female rivals. However, other research suggests that wearing a brand logo may have negative
consequences. Indeed, Abercrombie and Fitch recently decided to eliminate logos on all of their clothing
(Linshi, 2014). We believe that the presence of a logo can either be a confidence booster or a source of
insecurity depending on the social situation. In previous research (in preparation), we found a “stigma”
associated with wearing the same clothing on multiple occasions. In the current study, we hypothesized
that when the same people are present, subjects would report less positive feelings when wearing a
visible logo because the logo makes the outfit stand out to people who have already seen them wearing
that clothing. However, in the presence of different people, the logo would have a positive effect
because the benefits of the brand logo are not vitiated by the “wearing the same thing” stigma.
Method
Participants were 135 undergraduates (M=39, F=96) enrolled in introductory psychology. They
imagined themselves in 1 of 4 scenarios where they were either in the presence of the same or different
people at an event the week before, and wearing a visible logo or no logo. Subjects rated how they
would feel using 35 self-descriptive adjectives.
Results
An exploratory factor analysis using principal components analysis was run on the 35 adjectives.
Factor 1, titled “Positive feelings” which included adjectives such as accomplished, outgoing, self-
confident, and happy, accounted for 16% of the total variance. Factor 2, titled “Negative,” included
adjectives such as embarrassed, ashamed, self-conscious, and unfashionable and accounted for 19% of
the total variance.
A 2x2 univariate, between-subjects analysis of variance was performed on each of the factors.
The ANOVA on the positive factor revealed a significant main effect for the Same/ Different
manipulation and for the Logo/ No Logo manipulation. The interaction was significant as well.
Participants reported significantly more positive feelings about themselves when wearing a logo in the
presence of different people (M=3.16) than in the presence of the same people (M=2.07). The ANOVA
on the negative factor revealed a main effect for the Same/ Different manipulation, for the Logo/ No
Logo manipulation, and a significant interaction. Consistent with the findings for Factor 1, participants
reported greater negative feelings when wearing a visible logo (M=3.24) than when not wearing a logo
(M=2.31) when the same people were present.
Discussion
This study demonstrates that the psychological consequences of wearing a brand logo are not
absolute but are contingent upon a hitherto unstudied element of the social situation: whether the subject
wearing the logo is going to be seen by people who have seen them wearing the clothing before versus
people who have not seen them wearing the clothing before. Future research will explore the “wearing
the same thing” stigma to gain a better understanding of this phenomenon.

More Related Content

Similar to Fall 2014 Condensed Article

What makes-an-influencer
What makes-an-influencerWhat makes-an-influencer
What makes-an-influencerÓscar Miranda
 
Running head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docx
Running head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docxRunning head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docx
Running head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docx
jeanettehully
 
Running head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docx
Running head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docxRunning head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docx
Running head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docx
todd521
 
A STUDY ON BRAND PERCEPTION IN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY
A STUDY ON BRAND PERCEPTION IN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRYA STUDY ON BRAND PERCEPTION IN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY
A STUDY ON BRAND PERCEPTION IN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY
Associate Professor in VSB Coimbatore
 
Shopping Groups | IIMC | Consumer Behaviour
Shopping Groups | IIMC | Consumer BehaviourShopping Groups | IIMC | Consumer Behaviour
Shopping Groups | IIMC | Consumer Behaviour
Induchoodan R
 
LiteratureReviewFINAL
LiteratureReviewFINALLiteratureReviewFINAL
LiteratureReviewFINALRJ Mikolaj
 
Deconstruction of Literature MatrixSource 1S.docx
Deconstruction of Literature MatrixSource 1S.docxDeconstruction of Literature MatrixSource 1S.docx
Deconstruction of Literature MatrixSource 1S.docx
simonithomas47935
 
A03510107
A03510107A03510107
FinalPaperAmberHenderson
FinalPaperAmberHendersonFinalPaperAmberHenderson
FinalPaperAmberHendersonAmber Henderson
 
The Rise [and Fall] of Influencer Marketing
The Rise [and Fall] of Influencer MarketingThe Rise [and Fall] of Influencer Marketing
The Rise [and Fall] of Influencer Marketing
Karen Freberg
 
Human Growth And Development Study Guide Ch 1,2,3
Human Growth And Development Study Guide Ch 1,2,3Human Growth And Development Study Guide Ch 1,2,3
Human Growth And Development Study Guide Ch 1,2,3
Ashley Lott
 
Building Corporate Associations Consumer Attributions for C
Building Corporate Associations Consumer Attributions for CBuilding Corporate Associations Consumer Attributions for C
Building Corporate Associations Consumer Attributions for C
VannaSchrader3
 
What is impression formation? How does it contribute to sociability or social...
What is impression formation? How does it contribute to sociability or social...What is impression formation? How does it contribute to sociability or social...
What is impression formation? How does it contribute to sociability or social...
Eric Wagobera Jnr
 
What Happens To The Human Body As We AgeBy ChloeLife Sp.docx
What Happens To The Human Body As We AgeBy ChloeLife Sp.docxWhat Happens To The Human Body As We AgeBy ChloeLife Sp.docx
What Happens To The Human Body As We AgeBy ChloeLife Sp.docx
helzerpatrina
 
E533947.pdf
E533947.pdfE533947.pdf
E533947.pdf
aijbm
 
Making Sense of IWOM: How IWOM is generated and disseminated
Making Sense of IWOM: How IWOM is generated and disseminatedMaking Sense of IWOM: How IWOM is generated and disseminated
Making Sense of IWOM: How IWOM is generated and disseminatedKantar Media CIC
 
conceptual paper PPT.pptx from hailey college of banking and finance
conceptual paper PPT.pptx from hailey college of banking and financeconceptual paper PPT.pptx from hailey college of banking and finance
conceptual paper PPT.pptx from hailey college of banking and finance
aniqasheraz12
 

Similar to Fall 2014 Condensed Article (20)

What makes-an-influencer
What makes-an-influencerWhat makes-an-influencer
What makes-an-influencer
 
Running head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docx
Running head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docxRunning head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docx
Running head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docx
 
Running head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docx
Running head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docxRunning head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docx
Running head SEXUALITY, MEDIA, AND ATTRACTION 1 SEXUALITY,.docx
 
A STUDY ON BRAND PERCEPTION IN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY
A STUDY ON BRAND PERCEPTION IN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRYA STUDY ON BRAND PERCEPTION IN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY
A STUDY ON BRAND PERCEPTION IN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY
 
Shopping Groups | IIMC | Consumer Behaviour
Shopping Groups | IIMC | Consumer BehaviourShopping Groups | IIMC | Consumer Behaviour
Shopping Groups | IIMC | Consumer Behaviour
 
9 hilgenkamp
9 hilgenkamp9 hilgenkamp
9 hilgenkamp
 
brand advocacy01
brand advocacy01brand advocacy01
brand advocacy01
 
LiteratureReviewFINAL
LiteratureReviewFINALLiteratureReviewFINAL
LiteratureReviewFINAL
 
Deconstruction of Literature MatrixSource 1S.docx
Deconstruction of Literature MatrixSource 1S.docxDeconstruction of Literature MatrixSource 1S.docx
Deconstruction of Literature MatrixSource 1S.docx
 
A03510107
A03510107A03510107
A03510107
 
FinalPaperAmberHenderson
FinalPaperAmberHendersonFinalPaperAmberHenderson
FinalPaperAmberHenderson
 
SEC3_GROUP11
SEC3_GROUP11SEC3_GROUP11
SEC3_GROUP11
 
The Rise [and Fall] of Influencer Marketing
The Rise [and Fall] of Influencer MarketingThe Rise [and Fall] of Influencer Marketing
The Rise [and Fall] of Influencer Marketing
 
Human Growth And Development Study Guide Ch 1,2,3
Human Growth And Development Study Guide Ch 1,2,3Human Growth And Development Study Guide Ch 1,2,3
Human Growth And Development Study Guide Ch 1,2,3
 
Building Corporate Associations Consumer Attributions for C
Building Corporate Associations Consumer Attributions for CBuilding Corporate Associations Consumer Attributions for C
Building Corporate Associations Consumer Attributions for C
 
What is impression formation? How does it contribute to sociability or social...
What is impression formation? How does it contribute to sociability or social...What is impression formation? How does it contribute to sociability or social...
What is impression formation? How does it contribute to sociability or social...
 
What Happens To The Human Body As We AgeBy ChloeLife Sp.docx
What Happens To The Human Body As We AgeBy ChloeLife Sp.docxWhat Happens To The Human Body As We AgeBy ChloeLife Sp.docx
What Happens To The Human Body As We AgeBy ChloeLife Sp.docx
 
E533947.pdf
E533947.pdfE533947.pdf
E533947.pdf
 
Making Sense of IWOM: How IWOM is generated and disseminated
Making Sense of IWOM: How IWOM is generated and disseminatedMaking Sense of IWOM: How IWOM is generated and disseminated
Making Sense of IWOM: How IWOM is generated and disseminated
 
conceptual paper PPT.pptx from hailey college of banking and finance
conceptual paper PPT.pptx from hailey college of banking and financeconceptual paper PPT.pptx from hailey college of banking and finance
conceptual paper PPT.pptx from hailey college of banking and finance
 

Fall 2014 Condensed Article

  • 1. The Brand Logo: Confidence Booster or Source of Insecurity? Taylor Speer, Harvey Pines & Judith Larkin Submitted to Annual Convention of American Psychological Association August, 2015, Toronto, Canada According to research by Wang and Griskevicius (2014), brand logos can function to boost self- esteem, express identity, and signal status. They observed, for example, that women use luxury products to deter female rivals. However, other research suggests that wearing a brand logo may have negative consequences. Indeed, Abercrombie and Fitch recently decided to eliminate logos on all of their clothing (Linshi, 2014). We believe that the presence of a logo can either be a confidence booster or a source of insecurity depending on the social situation. In previous research (in preparation), we found a “stigma” associated with wearing the same clothing on multiple occasions. In the current study, we hypothesized that when the same people are present, subjects would report less positive feelings when wearing a visible logo because the logo makes the outfit stand out to people who have already seen them wearing that clothing. However, in the presence of different people, the logo would have a positive effect because the benefits of the brand logo are not vitiated by the “wearing the same thing” stigma. Method Participants were 135 undergraduates (M=39, F=96) enrolled in introductory psychology. They imagined themselves in 1 of 4 scenarios where they were either in the presence of the same or different people at an event the week before, and wearing a visible logo or no logo. Subjects rated how they would feel using 35 self-descriptive adjectives. Results An exploratory factor analysis using principal components analysis was run on the 35 adjectives. Factor 1, titled “Positive feelings” which included adjectives such as accomplished, outgoing, self- confident, and happy, accounted for 16% of the total variance. Factor 2, titled “Negative,” included adjectives such as embarrassed, ashamed, self-conscious, and unfashionable and accounted for 19% of the total variance. A 2x2 univariate, between-subjects analysis of variance was performed on each of the factors. The ANOVA on the positive factor revealed a significant main effect for the Same/ Different manipulation and for the Logo/ No Logo manipulation. The interaction was significant as well. Participants reported significantly more positive feelings about themselves when wearing a logo in the presence of different people (M=3.16) than in the presence of the same people (M=2.07). The ANOVA on the negative factor revealed a main effect for the Same/ Different manipulation, for the Logo/ No Logo manipulation, and a significant interaction. Consistent with the findings for Factor 1, participants reported greater negative feelings when wearing a visible logo (M=3.24) than when not wearing a logo (M=2.31) when the same people were present. Discussion This study demonstrates that the psychological consequences of wearing a brand logo are not absolute but are contingent upon a hitherto unstudied element of the social situation: whether the subject wearing the logo is going to be seen by people who have seen them wearing the clothing before versus people who have not seen them wearing the clothing before. Future research will explore the “wearing the same thing” stigma to gain a better understanding of this phenomenon.