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Math anxiety effects on consumer purchase decisions: the role of framing

Author

Listed:
  • Peter Andersen

    (University of Scranton)

  • Fei L. Weisstein

    (Bowling Green State University)

  • Kent B. Monroe

    (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Abstract

Mathematics anxiety, an emotional state resulting in negative responses to math problems and numerical information, has been extensively studied in educational psychology. Research on the impact of math anxiety on consumer purchase decisions, however, is still in its nascent stages. This paper examines the interaction between math anxiety and different promotion framing formats on consumers’ perceived savings, price acceptability, and purchase decisions. Across two studies, we demonstrate that consumers with varying levels of math anxiety respond differently to various promotion frames: a gain versus a reduced loss and a single discount versus multiple discounts. We further show that consumers with insufficient math ability may experience negative affect and heighten math anxiety, particularly when faced with numerical and arithmetic tasks commonly encountered while shopping.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Andersen & Fei L. Weisstein & Kent B. Monroe, 2024. "Math anxiety effects on consumer purchase decisions: the role of framing," Marketing Letters, Springer, vol. 35(3), pages 367-380, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:mktlet:v:35:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s11002-024-09732-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11002-024-09732-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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