Impact of individual differences in emotional intensity and private body consciousness on EsSense Profile® responses

Further development of theory and instruments to support measurement of emotional responses to consumer products has been called for. This research contributes by exploring how psychological traits linked to individual differences in perception of emotion affect responses on the 39-item EsSense Profile® (rating version). Two trait inventories were studied – emotional intensity (EIS-R) and private body consciousness (PBC). Results from four consumer studies (n∼1500) suggested that the impact on EsSense Profile® responses was bigger when data were collected online and in response to food words than in laboratory (CLT) settings when actual foods were tasted. For example, in online responses to a product concept describing a snack bar with appetite control benefits, people with higher scores on the positive sub-scale on the EIS-R inventory scored positive EsSense Profile® words higher than those with lower scores on this sub-scale. A similar result was found for private body consciousness. In a second online study, those people with higher PBC scores rated the emotional words higher than those people with lower PBC scores. Conversely, in laboratory CLT settings, two studies found fewer effects linked to these traits on EsSense Profile® responses elicited as participants consumed chocolate and apples. Numerous gender effects on EsSense Profile® responses were established, and it is suggested that aspects of participants’ emotional psychologies be measured if researchers are interested in how emotional responses to consumer products differ between men and women. In some instances, participants’ product use frequency and trait food neophobia scores were found to affect EsSense Profile® responses. Replication with other surveys eliciting food-related emotional responses is recommended.

► Stated intensity of emotional experiences in daily life affect product emotions.
► Impact on EsSense Profile® responses depended on data collection method.
► Impact on EsSense Profile® responses depended on food stimuli presentation.
► On average, men scored lower than women on the emotional intensity scale (EIS-R).