The influence of nostalgic memories on consumer exploratory tendencies: echoes from scents past

Abstract

Integrating research on atmospherics with the power of nostalgia, this paper investigates the influence of scent-evoked nostalgic memories on consumer exploratory behavior. The context for the experiment is a laboratory setting scented with natural and manmade odors. Testing a comprehensive structural equation model shows that ambient scent evokes nostalgic memories which in turn positively influence consumer sensation seeking with downstream effects extending onto exploratory tendencies, namely on risk taking, variety seeking and curiosity-motivated behaviors. In addition, those behavioral states are affected by consumer personality. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.