Why things cost 499 and not 500 ?

Almost all price tags have numbers ending in 9, like 499, 899, 999, etc. I always have wondered what was the logic behind the pricing. A recent paper explains it. It says that people calculate the worthiness of a  product in whole numbers and pricing not in whole numbers confuse the consumers. buyers were less [...]

Save your Willpower

The brain’s store of willpower is depleted when people control their thoughts, feelings or impulses, or when they modify their behavior in pursuit of goals. Psychologist Roy Baumeister and others have found that people who successfully accomplish one task requiring self-control are less persistent on a second, seemingly unrelated task. In one pioneering study, some [...]

Before and After Death

I feel that death is something that is keeping man sane. It is one thing that is full of mysteries and untold territory that man is trying to grasp. Nothing is as certain as Death (well, also Tax). Except for death, this world will be a mess, not with over-population but with people’s mind working [...]

Indexed and Perplexed

Certain blogs makes you think about something you don’t know. Certain blogs makes you wonder about something you know. And, certain blogs makes you sigh / laugh-at / blunt-talk about something you lived with your whole life.Those facts will make you smile and think. This is one that belongs to third kind. Few samples. Plenty [...]

Why Does Popcorn Cost So Much at the Movies and Why You can’t Predict Happiness?

Have you ever wondered why the price of Popcorn is so high in movie halls? Believe me (or the article), that a lot depends on the psychology of the moviegoer.  It discusses the long fought debate of whether to price the primary product (movie) high and concessional product (popcorn) or vice versa. My opinion is [...]

You mean, Free Shipping?

A paper published by Wharton marketing professor David Bell details the online consumers’ psychology when it comes to shipping charges. He says that online retailers use it as a promotional tool. “a free shipping offer that saves a customer $6.99 is more appealing to many than a discount that cuts the purchase price by $10″, [...]