Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

5-2024

Abstract

Anatomical depiction is a technique where the product is decomposed into components that are spatially arranged in a layer-by-layer manner to visually explicate its inner structure. The authors demonstrate that anatomical depiction, compared to non-anatomical depiction, enhances product valuation. This effect occurs because anatomical depiction elicits a ‘coming together’ of the inner components in consumers’ minds thereby evoking a gestalt image of the product – a process labeled simulated assemblage. The elicitation of simulated assemblage in turn boosts their confidence in the product’s performance. Two field experiments first demonstrate that anatomical depiction leads to greater engagement in online settings such as peer-to-peer selling and social media advertising. Subsequently, seven laboratory and online experiments show when and how anatomical depiction elicits simulated assemblage (Studies 1A–C), test the process underlying the effect of anatomical depiction on product valuation (Studies 2A–B), and delineate two boundary conditions, showing that the positive effect of anatomical (vs. non-anatomical) depiction attenuates for consumers higher (vs. lower) in technology anxiety (Study 3) and when consumers have a hedonic (vs. utilitarian) consumption goal (Study 4). Collectively, this work provides insights to firms on how and when to use anatomical depiction to enhance consumers’ confidence in and valuation of the product.

Keywords

product depiction, gestalt, perceptual grouping, mental imagery, consumer confidence, performance risk, uncertainty, exploded view

Discipline

Graphic Communications | Marketing

Research Areas

Marketing

Publication

Journal of Marketing

ISSN

0022-2429

Identifier

10.1177/00222429241257911

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1177/00222429241257911

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