Overview

I am interested in how consumer research can be leveraged to benefit society. In my first research stream, I examine how people can be shifted away from entrenched views, and factors that affect receptiveness to the opposition. In my second research stream, I explore the role of meaning in consumer satisfaction and decision-making. I am being co-advised by Zakary Tormala and Jennifer Aaker.

Publications

Catapano, R., Tormala, Z., and Rucker, D. (2019), Perspective Taking and Self-Persuasion: Why “Putting Yourself in Their Shoes” Reduces Openness to Attitude Change. Psychological Science, 30, 424-435. [link]

Rudd, M.*, Catapano, R.*, and Aaker, J. (2019), Making Time Matter: A Review of Research on Time and Meaning. Journal of Consumer Psychology (*equal contribution). [link]

Vohs, K., Aaker, J., and Catapano, R. (2018). It’s Not Going to Be That Fun: Negative Experiences Can Add Meaning to Life. Current Opinion in Psychology, 26, 11-14. [link]

Choi, I., Lim, S., Catapano, R., and Choi, J.A. (2018). Comparing two roads to success: Self-control predicts achievement and positive affect predicts relationships. Journal of Research in Personality, 75, 50-63. [link]

Hawkins, R.X.D., Smith, E.N., Au, C.A., Arias, J.M., Catapano, R., … and Frank, M.C. (2017) Improving the Replicability of Psychological Science Through Pedagogy. Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science. [link]

Choi, J.A., Catapano, R., and Choi, I. (2017). Taking Stock of Happiness and Meaning in Everyday Life: An Experience Sampling Approach. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 8, 641-651. [link]

Catapano, R., Buttrick, N., Widness, J., Goldstein, R., and Santos, L.R. (2014). Capuchin monkeys do not show human-like pricing effects. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1330. [link]

Manuscripts Under Preparation and Review

Catapano, R., Quoidbach, J., Mogilner, C., and Aaker, J. Finding Happiness in Meaning: Happiness and Meaning Converge for Low Income Individuals. (Under review at PNAS, manuscript available on request)

Shennib, F.*, Catapano, R.*, and Levav, J. Preference Reversals in Willingness to Pay and Choice (Under review at Journal of Marketing Research, manuscript available on request). (*equal contribution)

Catapano, R. and Tormala, Z. Do I Support that It’s Good or Oppose that It’s Bad? The Effect of Attitude Framing on Sharing Behavior. (In preparation, manuscript available on request)

Selected Work in Progress

Catapano, R. and Tormala, Z. Perceptions of Support- and Oppose- Framed Attitudes.

Catapano, R.*, Bechler, C.*, and Tormala, Z. Positivity Dominance in Perceptions of Attitude Change.

Catapano, R. and Tormala, Z. Attitude Framing and Purchase Decisions

Catapano, R., Hardisty, D., and Aaker, J. Moments that Last: Meaningfulness Slows Happiness Decay.


Rhia Catapano, 2023