This article in the Chicago
Tribune discusses the reasons behind why some people are inclined to “like” a
lot of things. The article opens
with saying that for years “social scientists have known that our likes and
dislikes are a function of many things: our education, our tastes, how
optimistic we are”. But now a new
study conducted by Justin Hepler at the University says there is a new
component- the overall individual. They are calling at “dispositional attitude”
which “gives insights into why we might like (or
dislike) a slew of different things that are unrelated.” The implications of this can tie into
potential employers trying to discern whether an applicant is a good fit for
the company. Or in advertising
having information and figuring whether it would effect the pitch of the
product. Studying “likes” seems
irrelevant and seems highly based on speculation. But I found this article interesting as in today’s world
nearly everyone literally broadcasts their “likes” on social media especially
places like social media. And as a
Advertising/Art Direction major you learn that understanding the consumer is
key. If there is a way to
understand what someone likes through a test like they conducted in the survey
of this article it would be very valuable.
Joe
