New Technology Evokes Old Memories: Frequent Smartphone Use Increases Feeling of Nostalgia

Abstract

In the era of technology, smartphone use occupies an important position in our lives. The present research focused on the psychological consequence of frequent smartphone use and possible way to remedy it. We proposed that frequent smartphone use could damage people’s sense of control and in turn trigger nostalgia. Moreover, nostalgia could directly compensate for the low sense of control induced by frequent smartphone use. Five studies ( N = 918) were conducted. Study 1 found through a field study that frequent smartphone use increases nostalgia. Studies 2 and 3 found through 14-day tracking and a laboratory experiment that frequent smartphone use decreased people’s sense of control and then triggered nostalgia. Furthermore, nostalgia could enhance the low sense of control, and it worked by increasing self-esteem (Studies 4 and 5). The findings show the negative impact of frequent smartphone use, and nostalgia is an effective way to remedy it without preventing people from using smartphones.

Overcoming the negative role of nostalgia in consumer reactions to automated products

“…We also note that our results seem to depart from the recent finding that nostalgia can boost adoption intentions for new products (Xia et al, 2021; K. Zhou et al, 2021) through nostalgia's role as a restorative function. Our results also differ from those of Huang et al (2021), who demonstrate that the use of novel technologies can evoke nostalgic feelings and lead to a preference for nostalgic products. In our focal case, the old technology evokes nostalgic feelings, suggesting that it is the type of novel technology that matters.…”

“…Consumer nostalgia, triggered by threatening situations (e.g., COVID‐19), can also bolster adoption intentions for new products through an increased search for meaning (Xia et al, 2021). Huang et al (2021) demonstrate that the use of novel technologies can evoke nostalgic feelings and lead to a preference for nostalgic products. In our study, we adopt the opposite view—namely, that automation technologies evoke nostalgic feelings to a lesser extent—and base our theorizing on the status quo bias (Kahneman et al, 1991; Kuester et al, 2015; Samuelson & Zeckhauser, 1988; Yen & Chuang, 2008).…”

“…We contribute by identifying ways to mitigate the potential negative effects of the introduction of an innovation on relevant target groups. We also contribute to the literature in marketing and psychology on nostalgia (Loveland et al, 2010; Pascal et al, 2002; Wildschut et al, 2006; X. Zhou et al, 2008), especially in the new product context (Huang et al, 2021; Xia et al, 2021; K. Zhou et al, 2021), by examining the process by which consumer nostalgia interacts with technology to influence consumer reactions to automated products.…”

Distress prospectively predicts higher nostalgia, and nostalgia prospectively predicts lower distress

“…The distress‐to‐higher‐nostalgia link is well supported by research that addresses nostalgia as in‐the‐moment sentimental longing for one's valued past. Psychologically adverse stimuli that are experimentally manipulated elicit nostalgia; such stimuli include loneliness (Wildschut et al, 2010; Zhou et al, 2008), avoidance motivation (Stephan et al, 2014), sadness (Garrido & Schubert, 2015; Wildschut et al, 2006), boredom (Van Tilburg et al, 2013), disillusionment (Maher et al, 2021), loss of control (Huang et al, 2023), meaninglessness (Routledge et al, 2011), death cognitions (Juhl et al, 2010; Routledge et al, 2008), social exclusion (Seehusen et al, 2013; Wildschut et al, 2010), procedural injustice (Van Dijke et al, 2015), and self‐discontinuity (Sedikides, Wildschut, Routledge, & Arndt, 2015). Physically adverse stimuli that are experimentally manipulated also elicit nostalgia; such stimuli include low ambient temperatures (Zhou et al, 2012), rain, thunder, or wind sounds (Van Tilburg et al, 2018), and physical pain (Kersten et al, 2020).…”