Susceptibility to advertising/marketing

[psilocybophile]

I hate advertising with a passion. I know it pays for a lot of things (including this forum), but I just hate it. However, I seem to be pretty much immune to it. I can't recall a single time when advertising has actually had the intended effect to make me go out and buy something. In fact, if I'm looking for a particular product, and I see an advert for it, I'm much less likely to buy the brand advertised, because it's been advertised.

I'm just wondering whether this is an INTJ trait (or possibly just an INTx trait, as my INTP boyfriend seems to be of the same mind). Does our lack of interest in socialisation translate into a lack of interest in 'keeping up with the Joneses', and therefore a lack of interest in buying and owning the latest product?

I realise I may be so far out on a limb here that I can't see the trunk anymore...

[mel]

i find that im very heavily influenced by advertising. not so much in the "i have to buy the product" sort of way, but i seem to absorb the adverts. colour, composition, words...

maybe i think too much?

and then ill talk to someone or read something and my brain immediately picks up a link to the advert, and in no time, im thinking about the advert again.

its too weird for me

[Rudy]

Dunno. It's hard for an individual to say what effects advertising has had on their preferences with any degree of objectivity. The most I can say is that I have yet to ever click on an online banner ad or pop-up.

[blatant]

I hate advertisements and skip them whenever they're on TV or online. Also have adblocker installed. However, I do heavily rely on word of mouth and recommendations for friends instead.

[Mathnerdkid]

A generally tend to rely on what I know or what I have heard from friends instead of advertisements. Most of them are such bull anyway.

[une fille]

I read one personality type description that suggested INTJ's may possess dislike for marketing and a certain amount of immunity to it. I don't recall which site provided that information, but I recall thinking that it was fairly accurate.

For the most part, I'm almost offended when people attempt to use slogans or common marketing techniques to appeal to me in some way. My sister is a business and marketing major, so I've read some of her class material concerning the tricks to advertisements and the like, and I've found that it irritates me when I examine an ad and realize that a company is trying to manipulate me in such base ways.


I can appreciate ads that stick to the facts, but most of it is just such a gross exploitation of General Psych 101 that it occasionally makes me want to renounce the material world and grow my own vegetables in an Amish town or something.

[Sesquipedalian]

At this point I almost have a subconscious programmed response to wipe advertising from my brain because I have detested it so much for so long.

I decide if I want to buy something. I gather evidence and I determine whether or not it is a quality product by reading reviews and others' personal experiences the coming to my own conclusion. I don't need some obnoxious wacko with a loud, nasally voice screaming at me about how amazing his product is. I hate commercials... how absurd they are, how inane they imply that I am, how dishonest they are, how they feel the need to jack my volume up 20 notches so they make sure they drill their message into my brain...

The only thing TV commercials do is alert me to is an object's existence, and I can do that with the TV on mute thanks. If I'm listening to the radio I usually just turn it down, and in the past 5 years I think I've clicked on one internet ad (and it was an accident).

I can't remember the last time I bought something without reading reviews on it first. It definitely works on some people... My sister SINGS COMMERCIAL JINGLES. Me though? Sorry. If you want my business you'll earn it by having a superior product at a reasonable price, not junk that's a rip-off.

[llBradll]

I don't need some obnoxious wacko with a loud, nasally voice screaming at me about how amazing his product is.
Me either--Anybody seen my ShamWows?

[True Rune]

I like to point out the propaganda techniques used in commercials. My S relatives hate it.

[Sean O]

I'm pretty much immune to advertising as well. I think NTs in general are far less influenced by things like that. The combination of making decisions logically, and being able to read between the lines/see the big picture more effectively, makes us tough nuts to crack in that regard.

[True Rune]

Makes a lot of comedians not funny when you notice their trends though. :/

[ElstonGunn]

Yep, advertising doesn't work on anybody. That's why companies pay 3 million dollars for a thirty-second ad during the Super Bowl.

This strikes me as another version of the "Toupees look bad" comment. You only notice a toupee when it's bad; if it looks like natural hair, you don't notice it. So your impression of them is that they always look bad, simply because the only time you're aware of them is when they stand out as a single poor example. The only data that you're aware of is the bad data. Likewise, you only notice advertising when it doesn't work on you.

How many brands can you recognize by their slogans? "Just do it." "Snap, Crackle, Pop." "It keeps going, and going, and going." "It's everywhere you want to be." "Can you hear me now? Good." "What's in your wallet?" "Mm Mm Good." Not that a memorable slogan guarantees success, but it helps.

I think the other issue in this discussion, and maybe the more important one, is that no one wants to say, "Why, yes, advertising is very effective on me. I'll buy anything you tell me to buy." Between introversion ("Crowds are bad"), intuition ("normal is bad"), thinking ("feelings are bad"), I'm not surprised that no one here wants to admit that advertising influences them at all. But I think it in some way influences everyone who is exposed to it, whether you want it to or not. The level and nature of that influence is of course debatable, but it's gotta be there at both higher and more influential levels than we'd like to admit.

[Tahte]

Me either--Anybody seen my ShamWows?

LOL! I have to admit I'm entertained by that one, and his other one with the food chopper.

Having a degree in advertising, I like to study and analyze the TV commercials; pick out the lies and such. I never buy anything, but I like to make machinima parodies of them.

What I do hate is the current trend of using folksy, guitar/ukelele music behind every ad. Uggh!

[Sinequanon]

I used to love commercials, when I was growing up. I still like to watch old tapes to see the ads in them because they remind me of my childhood. As a media critic (what I'm getting my degree in), I think the effects of advertisement are quite interesting, but even just from a relatively innocuous perspective (say, their historical evolution), they're absolutely fascinating.

I don't see as many commercials nowadays since I mostly watch my TiVo, but I do look forward to the Super Bowl to critique the commercials (usually from a consumer/entertainment standpoint, but more recently, from a critical standpoint as well). Advertising is a very fascinating subject.

As for the general claim around here that no one's susceptible to advertisement, I don't intend to burst the bubble. I am curious how many of you know what this logo (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) refers to (I had to spend a little time trying to find one that didn't say the name of the product in the URL, so I'd appreciate it if you check it out. :) And yes, I do mean product.) The short version of my argument, though, is that we are so literally inundated in advertisement, symbolism, sloganism and ideology that to say you're not susceptible to it is like a fish saying it's not wet. Well, maybe that didn't burst the bubble. Just a little bruise. :)

Have fun with yourselves.

[HeyZeus]

I don't know. I do not watch commercial tv except for some sports. But there are hobbies I have and intellectual/entertainment interests that I have, through which I recognize I am susceptible to advertising that references them in a way that is not asinine or aiming for the Jim Belushi sitcom audience.

[Noehelia]

Advertising does not always have the goal to sell you something. There are many different goals on it. For instance let's take brand awareness, advertising may just want to let you know that this product exists and to recognize it when you see it. This serves a purpose ofc, building familiarity which plays a major role in trusting.

[putupon]

I try not to fall prey to advertising hype or misguided brand loyalty. Personally, I prefer Coke over Pepsi, but they’re both sugared water. Professionally, I’ve often spec’d Cisco network gear because they have a proven quality and support track record, not because they’re the big name out there.

But...

... I think it in some way influences everyone who is exposed to it, whether you want it to or not. The level and nature of that influence is of course debatable, but it's gotta be there at both higher and more influential levels than we'd like to admit.

...I also agree with this. Advertising is so pervasive it’s practically impossible to escape its influence.

[Storm]

I have read numerous descriptions of INTJs claiming they are less suseptiable to advertising than other types. Sinequanon, I clicked your logo and recognized it right away.
I agree, campaigning is largely marketing.

But I will pony up here and admit that I have been influenced by advertisements.

Have gotten a soda from the frige after a soda commercial came on
After hearing an ad on the radio for a new local restuarant, I asked around if it was good, and decided to go.
Seen movies based purely on the preview.
Entered stores based upon their store facade and window dressing.
Bought books based upon their jacket covers, placement in the store, and descriptions on the back
Boughten products because of coupon and discounts.


The list goes on.

[Muumeh]

I'm somewhat immune to marketing/ads. Whenever I need to buy something, I do take notice on what's advertised most as an valid option to fill my needs, but I also check the other options to make the decision.

I do have some knowledge about what king of tactics are used in marketing, so I'm very conscious about them. Creating a need (mostly them "this will make your life easier" stuff), psychological pricing ($99.99 looks cheaper than $100), product placement, group deals (you get this 'n that with this) doesn't really work on me.

[Nomadofthehills]

Influenced? We all are to some extent. I think the key is knowing that you are being influenced, and how. For example, if a commercial is funny enough that I laugh or crack a smile, I might admire their marketing team and support it by buying their product. If I catch a commercial using techniques that are designed to catch idiots, I almost never buy their product. I also never buy non-food related items without reading extensive reviews.

I love old commercials for nostalgic purposes. I like modern commercials to point out the propaganda and marketing techniques to other people. It surprises me that the people I am with are not aware why the commercial or advertisement is affecting them, or how.

[Tyrant Soup]

Much of advertising is aimed at boosting the perceived value of a product without having to really increase the quality. This includes jock endorsed athletic wear , designer label products and so on. It's an efficient way to milk the susceptible.

[SeaCzar]

Interesting thread. What I buy is what I want. In my head, I think "Do I want to part with $X in order to get Y?" Advertising really has no effect on that question. With big ticket items, I do a lot of research.

[alphawolf]

I hate advertising with a passion.

You and me both.

They started putting the damned things inside of stores, sticking out of shelves, on the store PA system, etc. I used to wear earplugs and push the basket around while looking at the floor. Then they started putting the damned things on the floors, in the toilets, on the back of your receipt, etc.

I have a feeling that if enough blind people start shopping while wearing music players, they'll start making ads in braille. Advertising bumps everywhere, on the floor, the toilet seat, the handle of the shopping basket, ...

[Vagrant]

I hate bad advertising.

Not, not cheesy advertising -- I enjoy that. I hate bad advertising that produces misleading "facts" and "studies." Like... I think there's an ad for a weight-loss pill that's been going around in the US for a while called Lipozene. One part of the ad states that "in a clinical double-blind study, researchers found that on average that 78% of every pound lost was pure body fat."

There are so many things WRONG with that statement. What's the other 22% (which is a massive percentage)? Some vital organ tissue? How many pounds on average were lost? Did they undergo any different levels of activity while under examination?

it's that kind of advertising that irritates me -- miracle cures, misleading "facts", camera tricks, etc.

[Sesquipedalian]

I hate bad advertising.

Not, not cheesy advertising -- I enjoy that. I hate bad advertising that produces misleading "facts" and "studies." Like... I think there's an ad for a weight-loss pill that's been going around in the US for a while called Lipozene. One part of the ad states that "in a clinical double-blind study, researchers found that on average that 78% of every pound lost was pure body fat."

There are so many things WRONG with that statement. What's the other 22% (which is a massive percentage)? Some vital organ tissue? How many pounds on average were lost? Did they undergo any different levels of activity while under examination?

it's that kind of advertising that irritates me -- miracle cures, misleading "facts", camera tricks, etc.
the other 22% is probably a combination of their liver failing from having to process that toxic drug, and loss of fatty tissue in their brain, which makes them more susceptible to future ads like that. IT'S GENIUS!!!

[Thinker]

First of all let me say that advertising does work.

I have seen many posts in other threads talking about the free market being the ultimate "rational" force. I can assure you that businesses are very rational when they look at their advertising programs. If it didn't work - they wouldn't use it.

There are many different types of advertising - and a wide range of target audiences. Today, there is just as much advertising which is part of a TV show, or article in a newspaper (eg "Apple announces new iPhone" - as a newspaper article), as there is paid placement advertising.

To say that you don't immediately respond to an advertisiment by going out and buying a product is probably correct for most of the population. But, it also depends on what sort of product you are buying as well. And......not all ads ask you to immediately go and buy a product. Many ads just make you familiar with a company or product.

Someone said that they spend time and research each purchase - that would be an interesting exercise if you have a large weekly grocery shop for a family of four.

I can almost guarantee that no one is immune from all advertising. You may be immune from some sorts of advertising - but then you may also not be the target audience for that particular ad or product either.

Don't get me wrong - I hate most TV ads - as well as most radio advertising - because you do not get a choice whether to listen or not, and they are crappy ......but then again I rarely listen to or watch commercial TV or radio because of that.

I would suggest that much of TV and radio advertising is aimed at SF types, with "touchy feely" slogans and subjects. TV and radio know their audiences.........If you are getting angry at watching an ad....I would suggest the TV or radio program isn't aimed at you.

Last point......INTJ's represent 1 to 2% of the population. TV, radio and newspapers are "mass media" - they target large audiences - I understand that approximately 70% of the population are SF and ST and perhaps these are the target audiences.