It has previously been suggested that consumers' product evaluations are positively affected by tactile interaction. However, it is not known if it is applicable to products that people usually touch for brief periods of time. This study sets out to explore whether it is possible to influence consumers' tactile perception of fast-moving consumer goods by altering the surface texture. In this study individual tactile sensing and visual appreciation were compared with the combined visual and tactile sensing of surface textures for two types of products (soap and biscuits). Three types of textures on the outside of either a soap or biscuit box and three separate sample swatches of the textures used on the boxes were used in the study. The three soap or biscuit boxes were visually presented to the participants. This was followed by a blind haptic evaluation of the three textures, and then by a combined visual and tactile evaluation of three differently textured boxes (either soap or biscuit boxes). The results suggest that a consumer's perception of the packaging of fast-moving consumer

The study tested if evaluation of Aesthetic quality is influenced by tactile information and whether the evaluation process is affected more by one modality (vision) than another (touch). Tactile sensing and visual appreciation were compared with combined visual and tactile sensing of surface textures. Three kinds of plastic textures on the outside of a DVD container and three sample swatches of the textures used on the DVDs were used in the study. Three DVD containers were presented visually to the participants. This was followed by a blind haptic evaluation (i.e., the participants could only feel but not see the swatches) of the three different textured swatches, and then by combined visual and tactile evaluation of the three differently textured DVDs. One hundred and twelve participants took part in all 3 evaluations. A regression analysis showed that in 2 of the 3 conditions tested, overall Aesthetic evaluation was influenced both by vision and touch. To what extent the modalities influenced the evaluation depended upon which of the textures had been evaluated.

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Government policy aimed at curbing carbon emissions often focusses on encouraging individual action, however the effectiveness of this approach has been limited. Investigations of why this might be have included segmentation, to identify different groups who undertake more or less action, and analysis of various -barriers‖ to action. Those on lower incomes who are not home owners have previously been found to be less engaged in seeking out energy efficiency information. Working with low-income tenants living in supported social housing we conducted three group interviews, accompanied by a 7-item scale measuring general attitude towards the environment. The interviews were aimed at opening up discussion about environmental and energy issues, including exploring more deeply what, for these participants, underlies barriers to conservation behaviours. We found participants to be very willing to engage in conversation and knowledgeable about a range of relevant issues. Barriers explored include: lack of confidence in existing levels of knowledge, habit, self-interest and lack of agency, and in all cases several different perspectives were voiced by participants. Implications for policy, interventions and public engagement are given, including ways to increase dialogue and reflection on sustainability issues for all sectors of society.

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