The influence of aging on consumer decision‐making

Abstract

The worldwide phenomenon of population aging has generated increasing interest among consumer researchers in understanding the complicated influence of aging on consumer mental processes and behavior. This article reviews significant changes due to aging in sensory functioning, cognition, and affect and motivation on consumer decision‐making. Whereas some age‐related changes have negative effects on the quality of decision processes and outcomes, others have positive effects. The current review demonstrates the importance of using different approaches to address the needs and well‐being of older consumers versus younger consumers.

Revisiting the Age Construct: Implications for Service Research

“…Our results build a clear indication of a need to “stop accepting chronological age as a factor” (Griffiths 1997, p. 208). Indeed, chronologically older individuals outperform younger ones at times and vice versa (Drolet et al 2019)—a finding that our results support. More specifically, older adults use their deliberative capacity selectively and show, for example, an increased preference for satisficing or “good enough” choices.…”

“…Recent research emphasizes that individuals differ in their biological age, even if they are of the same chronological age. The aging process consists of several dimensions, of which chronological aging is only one (e.g., Carstensen et al 1999; Drolet et al 2019). The age concept is therefore an individual perception and loses its stability assumption (Grougiou and Pettigrew 2011).…”

Consumer Awareness and Preference towards Finger Millet in Sri Lanka

“…Consumption decisions are affected by the gender and age of the consumer [17,18]. However, no significant differences were found either between males and females (χ 2 = 1.42, P = .84) or among the age groups (χ 2 = 24.77, P = .64) of the respondents on preference to consume finger millet.…”

“…Although purchasing decisions are affected by the gender and age of the consumer [17,18], there were no significant differences either between males and females (χ 2 = 3.47, P = .48) or among the age groups (χ 2 = 22.65, P = .75) of the respondents on preference to buy new finger millet-based food products. More than 85% of males (86.8%) and females (89.0%) preferred to buy new finger millet-based food products.…”

A Theoretical Framework on the Determinants of Food Purchasing Behavior of the Elderly: A Bibliometric Review with Scientific Mapping in Web of Science

“…For elderly consumers, the age-related changes drive their specific choices of products and services, which tend to be different from younger adults, and, therefore, have major significance in consumer behavior and marketing [ 2 ]. As Drolet et al [ 3 ] stated in their research, the influence of aging on consumers and their shopping experiences and purchasing decision-making is generally complicated, since it involves various behaviors and mental processes for different aging individuals. In this regard, based on the literature, some of the mental processes related to age that play a key role in influencing consumer behavior include factors of cognition, sensory functioning, motivation, and affect.…”