Arousal, Interest and Auction Bidders

23 Pages Posted: 11 Nov 2008

Date Written: November 9, 2008

Abstract

Arousal is a diffuse emotional response that can have multiple effects. We present three studies that investigated arousal's effects on auctions, which are increasingly important engines of contemporary economies and represent social contexts particularly likely to generate and be influenced by arousal. We manipulated arousal in three ways: by changing two essential elements of auctions (stakes and time pressure); by asking participants to recall a competition in which they felt aroused or calm; and by creating cognitive dissonance. Across the studies, arousal consistently increased interest and bidding. The results support the competitive arousal model (Ku, Malhotra, & Murnighan, 2005) and provide a more complete picture of the effects of arousal, extending theoretical perspectives from romantic attraction, which suggest that arousal is a diffuse emotional state that can be misattributed as interest, to auctions. The discussion explores the broader implications of the role of arousal in decision making and markets.

Suggested Citation

Ku, Gillian and Galinsky, Adam D. and Murnighan, John Keith, Arousal, Interest and Auction Bidders (November 9, 2008). IACM 21st Annual Conference Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1298572 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1298572

Gillian Ku (Contact Author)

Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management ( email )

2001 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
United States

Adam D. Galinsky

Columbia University - Columbia Business School, Management ( email )

3022 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
United States

John Keith Murnighan

Northwestern University, Harold H. Hines Jr. Distinguished Professor of Risk Management (deceased) ( email )

2001 Sheridan Road
Leverone Hall, 360
Evanston, IL 60208
United States
847-467-3566 (Phone)
847-491-8896 (Fax)

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