The Influence of Love versus Lust on Consumer Judgments

According to previous literature, love involves a feeling of emotional bonds, attachment, and commitment to a specific target from a long-term perspective. In contrast, lust is defined as a sexual desire to engage in sexual activities from a short-term perspective. This research investigates the influence of feelings of love or lust on consumers" long-term benefit-seeking and risk-taking behaviors. Study 1 examined whether consumers" long-term benefit-seeking behaviors depend on feelings of love or lust. As a result, consumers who experienced feelings of love were more likely to prefer products that provide long-term benefits (e.g., a hybrid car) than those who experienced feelings of lust. Study 2 investigated consumers" risk-taking behaviors, depending on feelings of love or lust. The results showed that consumers in the lust condition were more willing to take a risk (e.g., a trip to a hazardous area) than those in the love condition. Taken together, this research demonstrates that consumers" long-term benefit-seeking and risk-taking behaviors depend on feelings of love or lust. Practical and theoretical implications are further discussed.