2015/02/19 by Theresa E. DiDonato, Brittany K. Jakubiak
Business, Management and Accounting · Psychology · #Behavioral Health and Interventions #Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification #Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
paper · doi:10.1080/00224545.2015.1018858
openalex publication_date 2015/02/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
In the pursuit of love, individuals strategically use luxury products to signal status and other attractive attributes. Might eco-friendly products also signal mate-relevant information? The current research examined inferences from eco-friendly purchases and how they predict perceived suitability for short- and long-term romantic relationships. Participants read descriptions of a stranger's eco-friendly or luxury purchase decisions, reported their perceptions of the purchaser, and indicated their potential romantic interest in the purchaser. The influence of the relative price of the chosen product was also investigated. Compared to luxury purchasers, eco-friendly purchasers were ascribed greater warmth, competence, and good partner traits, but less physical appeal, and they were preferred for long-term but not short-term relationships. The social costs and benefits of "going green" are discussed in light of their implications for environmental sustainability efforts.