While brand communities bring to mind commonalities like shared interests and values, it is important to note that the way consumers construe information can be different depending on the situation and their level of integration with the brand community itself. Therefore, this research proposes that construal level impacts how brand community members process information, and specifically looks at how two dimensions of psychological distance—social and temporal distance—affect the persuasiveness of different types of advertising appeals. Furthermore, consideration is given to the consequences that occur when both dimensions are simultaneously activated, but the valence of the construal levels move in opposite directions. As such, these studies contribute to both theory and practice by extending knowledge to include which types of construals are more salient when competing construals are triggered, and by helping marketing managers to identify the most effective advertising appeals for brand community members under these different conditions.
External Link(s)
Citation
Bauer, Brittney. 2020. "Appealing to Divergent Brand Community Members - Adjusting Advertisements to Reflect Competing Construals (Apple Temporal Distance Experimental Study)." AEA RCT Registry. August 30. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.6187-2.0.
This study uses a 2 (near vs. far temporal distance) x 2 (symbolic vs. utilitarian advertising appeal) between-subjects experimental design.
Experimental Design Details
First, participants will be randomly assigned to view one [of four] advertisement. In the first set of manipulations, temporal distance will be primed by altering the release of the new product as either near (i.e., “New iPhone coming August 2020”) or far (i.e., “New iPhone coming February 2021”). Secondly, the advertising messaging will be manipulated to reflect either a symbolic appeal highlighting more emotional aspects of the product (i.e., “Life is more fun on iPhone. And that starts as soon as you turn it on. / Ready for adventure. Capture beauty. Enjoy the moment.”), or a utilitarian appeal highlighting more functional content related to the product (i.e., “Life is easier on iPhone. And that starts as soon as you turn it on. / Enhanced Face ID security. A14 chip technology. 5G connectivity convenience.”). All other aspects of the advertisement—logo, picture, etc.—will be kept constant throughout all of the ads. Finally, participants will respond to a short battery of attitude, behavioral, and demographic questions.
Randomization Method
Randomization will be done via the Qualtrics randomization tool in the survey flow.
Randomization Unit
The unit of randomization is the individual (i.e., each individual will be randomly assigned to view one [of four] advertisement).
Was the treatment clustered?
No
Sample size: planned number of clusters
200 American consumers
Sample size: planned number of observations
200 American consumers
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
50 American consumers with a near temporal distance & symbolic advertisement
50 American consumers with a far temporal distance & symbolic advertisement
50 American consumers with a near temporal distance & utilitarian advertisement
50 American consumers with a far temporal distance & utilitarian advertisement
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Final Sample Size: Number of Clusters (Unit of Randomization)
Was attrition correlated with treatment status?
Final Sample Size: Total Number of Observations
295 American consumers
Final Sample Size (or Number of Clusters) by Treatment Arms
74 American consumers with a near temporal distance & symbolic advertisement
74 American consumers with a far temporal distance & symbolic advertisement
73 American consumers with a near temporal distance & utilitarian advertisement
73 American consumers with a far temporal distance & utilitarian advertisement