Book Reviews

Between Us: How Cultures Create Emotions by Batja Mesquita, W.W. Norton, 2022

Susan Fader reviews Between Us, a book from Batja Mesquita (a pioneer of cultural psychology), which dissects the way culture shapes our emotional world. Using MINE and OURS models of emotion, the author effectively challenges the belief that emotional cues, socially accepted reactions, and empathy are universal across societies. A must-read for researchers seeking to understand the cultural perspectives surrounding our work. […]

Schools of Thought

So Big They Are Almost Invisible: 4 Roles of Brand Rituals and What They Mean for Researchers

The profound impact of rituals makes them a rich opportunity for marketers. This article discusses the “invisible” power of ritual on people’s lives and some of the ways brands capitalize on these behaviors. Discover how brands tap into the human affinity for ritual through cookies, sports jerseys, beer, and flight attendant safety speeches. The authors close with suggestions for how qualitative researchers can adopt a ritual lens to develop a deeper understanding of consumer behavior. […]

Dear Emeritus

Dear Emeritus Answers Newbie Researcher

Four QRCA Emeritus members offer insightful guidance on maximizing a career in marketing research based on their experiential wisdom. Having led successful independent qualitative research careers for decades, each of these professional women share advice on what they have learned to make the most success out of any project or client relationship while maintaining a great reputation, quality of work, and work-life balance in an ever-evolving industry. […]

From the Editor in Chief

From the Editor in Chief – Spring 2022

In 2015 when I joined the VIEWS team, I was looking for a way to engage with QRCA and was intrigued with the VIEWS committee. I vividly remember my call with then-Editor-in-Chief Kay Corry Aubrey and how passionate she was about working on the VIEWS publication. She quickly sold me on the idea that this was the committee for me. Who knew then that I would be given the opportunity to helm the publication, which I’m so excited about—thus launching me into this new adventure.  […]

Image showing a Jeep ad from the 2021 Super Bowl, along with a participant's brain wave reaction
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Your Brain on Super Bowl Ads

Every year, Marketing Brainology conducts a Super Bowl study that measures an average of 40 participants’ reactions to commercials using a three-step process—leveraging EEG, eye-tracking, and in-depth interviews. These processes are done consecutively on the same day, to capture participants’ raw reactions to the ads, as these reactions have the potential to fade or be forgotten as time passes. […]