Coercive Shopping

Coercive Shopping Site, smell and hearing senses can easily be distorted to be abused by retail anthropologist, but can there be a positive aspect? Even the sense of touch is changed, not with physically touching items but rather the coupon paper in the hand of the consumer. Senses are used to help consumers with decisions and distorted to make them believe they are doing what they really want. Tricked into buy something the consumer does not need and helping them get things easier and conveniently are not the same. From the food at the front of a store, to the items with higher sales rates due to higher request, they are specifically placed for customers. The determination of those items placement is from computer generated programs. Indeed, there is more than one positive aspect to be familiarized with. The science of consumerism and easily accessible items may seem to be the same aspect, but in no way are. While the power of suggestion is easily abused and used to control unwanted shopping habits. The power of suggestion is abused by retail marketers. It is in fact a form of mind control. The subconscious mind is what guides humans without them knowing. The brain does not act alone, but by physical and visual stimuli. Stimuli that can be stored into long term memory if it is a liked reaction. The body can be trained not to follow negative stimuli by subconscious thoughts that are also pre-programed. Some will say that the training of stimuli is what the power of suggestion is used for rather than mind control. “By putting neuromarketing science into practice, marketers now have the opportunity to create an emotional affinity with brands and forge effective long-term bonds with consumers.” (The Guardian) Mind control is in no way an ethical practice. …show more content…
Thinking and doing what a person wants is differentiates humans from the animal world. That ability is being taken away with certain tactics used by marketing companies. Retail anthropologists are giving them the information the marketers need to get a desired action out of the consumer. All of the four senses are highly susceptible to being abused. Telling someone what to do is in no way the same as showing them something that may make the shopping experience a little more pleasant and easier. The science of consumerism has greatly increased the usability of the store. Many things in life are known to have a mathematical and analytical programs or statistic ones to make things simple. Simplicity is how humans turn on the cruise control of life. But many say this cruise control should not be taken advantage of. Retail anthropologists are helping the retailers gain back their consumers, while telling the consumers how the retailers are gaining their sales. This is to equal out the playing field. “This research, in contrast with the cognitive psychology tradition, has led to the view that the unconscious mind is a pervasive, powerful influence over such higher mental processes.” The unconscious mind is used in the retail anthropology to map a more simplistic way of shopping for consumers. This is what keeps happy customers coming back. The sales and placement of everything from motor parts to food is a great convenience. Accessibility is the key to making consumers happy