Food, sex and the hunger for distinction

Consumer preferences are often influenced by the distinctiveness of the options involved, but do needs for distinctiveness display motivational reward properties? Four studies suggest that they do. Activating needs for distinctiveness impacts the desirability of other, seemingly unrelated rewards, and reciprocally, preferences for distinctiveness are impacted by the presence of seemingly unrelated reward stimuli. Further, these cross-domain spillover effects were moderated by sensitivity to the general reward system and satiated by even seemingly unrelated intervening rewards. These findings shed light on the nature of distinctiveness and its implications for consumer behavior.

Research Highlights► Four studies suggest distinctiveness exhibits motivational reward characteristics. ► Priming distinctiveness increased people's WTP for their favorite food. ► Hunger, thirst, or sexual arousal boosted choice of unique products.