

Behavioral Science For Brands: Leveraging behavioral science in brand marketing.
Consumer Behavior Lab
The Consumer Behavior Lab is dedicated to teaching marketersacross the United States how behavioral science principles can beapplied to help their brands. By decoding the underlying motivationsof how consumers make decisions, the CBL seeks to make a betterindustry - where both brands and agencies put proven sciencebehind their decision making.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 29, 2025 • 34min
How Halloween candy can teach marketers about choice, memory, and reward
Dive into the sweet world of Halloween candy to uncover fascinating insights for marketers! Learn how diversification bias influences choices, making variety key for challenger brands. Discover why experiences that end on a high note are rated better, and how adding lower-value items can diminish overall satisfaction. Plus, explore how uncertain rewards, like probabilistic prizes, create more excitement than fixed discounts. These behavioral science principles could transform your marketing strategies!

13 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 41min
Behavioral science for agencies: Pitching
Dive into the secrets of agency pitches! Discover how remembered pitches often trump superior quality due to trust. Learn about the illusion of effort, where perceived diligence improves client judgment. Unpack the stolen thunder effect—why admitting flaws can amplify your credibility. Explore extremeness aversion to refine pricing strategies that sway choices. Unveil practical tactics to turn perceived negatives into assets, and hear about pitch rituals that celebrate teamwork. These insights are must-haves for winning more business!

4 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 48min
Interview: Dan Ariely, author of Predictably Irrational, on unfakeable signals, friction, and trust in brands
Dan Ariely, a Duke University professor and behavioral economics expert, shares insights on how brands can foster trust and communicate more authentically. He discusses the psychological impact of branding, differentiating between familiarity-driven and identity-driven approaches. Ariely explains the 'handicap principle' and the importance of unfakeable signals in building credibility. He emphasizes that brands should encourage consumer participation in creating meaning while sharing fascinating examples of how consumption vocabulary can enhance product experiences.

8 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 49min
Interview: William Poundstone, author of Priceless, on anchoring, fairness, and the myth of “fair value”
In this conversation, William Poundstone, author of Priceless, explores the intriguing realm of pricing psychology. He dives into the concept of anchoring, discussing how high-priced items can make others seem like bargains. Poundstone reveals the flat-rate bias in subscription services and its impact on consumer choices. He also shares how perceived fairness influences buying decisions and the psychology behind menu design tactics that drive sales. Ultimately, he emphasizes the importance of presenting multiple reasons for customers to perceive value.

Oct 1, 2025 • 55min
Interview: Adam Alter, NYU marketing professor and author of Irresistible, on nine-enders, fluency, and naming that sells
Adam Alter, an NYU marketing professor and bestselling author, dives into the nuances of how behavioral science influences decision-making. He discusses intriguing concepts like 'nine-enders,' a phenomenon where significant life choices often occur at ages ending in nine, shaping marketing strategies. Alter emphasizes the impact of fluency in communication—how simpler, more pronounceable names build trust. He also explores the power of context in decision-making, demonstrating how environment and language can construct perceived value in products.

Sep 24, 2025 • 1h 1min
Interview: Orlando Wood, author of Lemon and Look Out, on why showmanship beats salesmanship
Orlando Wood, Chief Innovation Officer at System1 and author of 'Lemon and Look Out,' dives into the art of advertising. He explains why today’s ads struggle to engage and how showmanship can outshine salesmanship. Wood emphasizes the emotional power of humor and connection, revealing that ads that resonate emotionally can achieve commercial success. He also discusses the importance of leaving space for audience engagement and the impact of nostalgia in branding. His insights challenge brands to create more captivating and memorable advertising.

Sep 17, 2025 • 19min
Hacking the Human Mind - Book Preview: Pringles
Dive into the fascinating world of behavioral science as MichaelAaron and Richard preview their upcoming book. Discover how Pringles harnessed catchy rhymes and innovative packaging to heighten brand memorability. Unpack the psychology behind consumer preferences and the effectiveness of familiar slogans. Learn about the delicate balance between marketers' ambitions and brand growth. They also emphasize the importance of shared goals in brand partnerships, highlighting how aligned interests can drive success.

Sep 10, 2025 • 28min
How Heinz used precision and the pratfall effect to make its ketchup unforgettable
This episode dives into the behavioral science behind Heinz’s iconic brand. Discover how specificity, self-deprecating honesty, and inviting consumer participation help make Heinz ketchup more memorable, trusted, and irresistible at the table.

30 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 49min
Interview: Nancy Harhut, author of Using Behavioral Science in Marketing, on the behavioral triggers that boost engagement
Nancy Harhut, a behavioral marketer and co-founder of HBT Marketing, shares her expertise in leveraging behavioral science for brand engagement. She discusses the power of social proof and personalized marketing, revealing how these tactics drive significant conversions, illustrated by her work with Nationwide. The episode also explores the principles of reciprocity and the effectiveness of rhyming phrases in advertising, plus how simplifying language can enhance consumer understanding and decision-making in the financial sector.

5 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 32min
How Klarna uses present bias and temporal reframing to make shopping feel irresistible
Dive into the psychology behind Klarna's Buy Now, Pay Later model, which capitalizes on present bias to enhance online shopping. Discover how our evolutionary past influences decision-making, leading many to prefer immediate rewards over future savings. Learn about the impact of temporal reframing on how consumers perceive pricing, making costs feel more manageable. The discussion reveals costless pricing strategies that can elevate sales for brands of all sizes—turning the act of spending into an irresistible choice.


