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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
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Consumer Behaviour - The Moderating Role of Cartoon-like CGI Character in Advertising

Author

Term

4. term

Education

Publication year

2014

Submitted on

Abstract

Denne afhandling undersøger, om en tegnefilmsagtig computer-genereret figur (CGI) i reklamer påvirker forbrugeres holdninger, opmærksomhed og købsintentioner sammenlignet med en live skuespiller. Efter et litteraturreview blev der gennemført fire empiriske studier. Studie 1 og 4 målte holdninger og købsintentioner, mens Studie 2 og 3 registrerede øjenbevægelser og ændringer i pupilstørrelse (pupildilatation) under to på hinanden følgende visninger af reklamen. Data fra 30 deltagere, hvor produktet var en T-shirt, viste ingen signifikant forskel i holdninger eller købsintentioner mellem CGI-figuren og en live skuespiller. Samtidig blev deltagernes opmærksomhed i højere grad rettet mod CGI-figurens udseende og i mindre grad mod selve produktet, som blev vist sammen med figuren. Der blev registreret signifikante forskelle i pupilstørrelse i de øjeblikke, hvor CGI-figuren udtrykte følelser gennem ansigtsmimik. Ved anden visning ændrede deltagerne også deres blikmønstre. I en anden prøve med 20 deltagere og andre produkter (tørklæde, slips, skjorte) fandtes ligeledes ingen indflydelse på holdninger og købsintentioner. Afhandlingen afslutter med en diskussion af resultaterne, undersøgelsens begrænsninger og mulige retninger for fremtidig forskning.

This thesis examines whether a cartoon-like computer-generated (CGI) character in advertisements affects consumers’ attitudes, attention, and purchase intentions compared with a live actor. After a literature review, four empirical studies were conducted. Studies 1 and 4 measured attitudes and purchase intentions, while Studies 2 and 3 recorded eye movements and changes in pupil size (pupil dilation) during two consecutive viewings of the ad. Data from 30 participants, using a T-shirt as the advertised product, showed no significant differences in attitudes or purchase intentions between the CGI character and a live actor. At the same time, participants focused more on the CGI character’s appearance and less on the product that was shown alongside the character. Significant differences in pupil size were observed at moments when the CGI character expressed emotions through facial expressions. Participants also changed their gaze patterns during the second viewing. In a separate sample of 20 participants and different products (scarf, tie, shirt), there was likewise no influence on attitudes or purchase intentions. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the findings, the study’s limitations, and directions for future research.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]

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Dimitrov, Hristo Dimitrov: