Interestingly there is the view out there that psychologist's have the ability to manipulate someone to engage in behaviours they would not ordinarily do--and that marketing and businesses can use these resources to their benefit. An article appears on International Supermarket News (http://www.internationalsupermarketnews.com/index.php/the-news/1298-dylan) is a somewhat confusing attempt to perpetuate this myth. Alike to the stage hypnotists that are nothing more than entertainers who provide the opportunity for people wanting to be exhibitionistic to perform while excusing their ridiculous behavoiurs; a psychologist that specialises in marketing/ advertising and business strategy posesses no special powers of manipulation--I know this to be true because I am a psychologist who has practiced hypnotherapy and specialises in marketing and business strategy.
At the end article posted on ISN the auther implies that the customers control should be no less than scared--scared of what I ask? The author is indeed correct that supermarkets make the shopping experience as pleasant as possible and to that they need to understand the underlying motivations, perceptions, desires, fears, likes, dislikes to ensure this experience is delivered all the while trying to balance the financial and economic implications of operating a business. The former requirement is what psychology has to offer business, marekting and the like a deeper view into the workings of human behaviour, an understanding of things not yet met in the real world. If a business can use this insight to make something 'real' for a customer and the customer then acts by visiting, making a purchase etc then the customer has made the choice to act. To think the business has manipulated them is laughable--next we will see some lunatic suing a supermarket chain for 'making' them buying too much! In the end we are the master of our choices and unless you are mentally incompacitated then take some responsibility for your actions. To the supermarkets--I say let them entertain me and continue to improve the experience because as the author does rightly point out--we all need to eat and buy our supplies somewhere--in my view why not make it the best experience as possible!
Besides--if businesses don't use psychology to inform themselves I'd better out of a job!
