When there is Nobody, Angels Begin to Fly: Supernatural Imagery Elicited by a Loss of Social Connection

Niemyjska, Aleksandra; Drat-Ruszczak, Krystyna

doi:10.1521/soco.2013.31.1.57

Cited by 21 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The term anthropomorphism derives from Greek words ánthropos (human) and morfe -(form) and is defined as a cognitive process of "attribution of human characteristics to nonhuman things or events" (Guthrie, 1993, p. 3). Individuals tend to anthropomorphise various non-human entities, such as deities and other supernatural beings (Guthrie, 1993;Niemyjska and Drat-Ruszczak, 2013), pets (Epley et al, 2008), natural phenomena (Waytz et al, 2010a), computers, robots and other technical objects (Gong, 2008;Eyssel and Kuchenbrandt, 2012), as well as companies (Podnar and Melewar, 2010;Stinnett et al, 2013) and consumption objects (Delbaere et al, 2011).…”

Section: Corporate Brand Anthropomorphismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consumers’ identification with corporate brands: Brand prestige, anthropomorphism and engagement in social media

Tuškej

Podnar

2018

JPBM

119

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Purpose -This paper aims to examine relationships between consumer-brand identification (CBI), brand prestige (BP), brand anthropomorphism (BA) and consumers' active engagement in brand activities on social media in corporate brand settings. Design/methodology/approach -Data collected with an online survey on a sample randomly drawn from an online panel of consumers were used to test the proposed theoretical model. Findings -Anthropomorphism and prestige of corporate brands were found to positively influence consumer-brand identification. Also, CBI positively affects consumers' active engagement and fully mediates the effect of BP and BA on consumers-brand engagement (CBE) with corporate brands. Research limitations/implications -Further research in other markets and on a broader set of corporate brands would additionally validate results and enable comparisons of impacts among different brand categories. The data were gathered in one country, so further research in other markets would additionally validate results of this study. Practical implications -Chief executives responsible for corporate brand management are provided with some insights on how appropriate corporate brand identity management can strengthen CBI and stimulate CBE on social media. Originality/value -This paper provides some novel insights into the research on consumer-brand identification. It is the first study (to the authors' knowledge) that empirically supports the positive influence of brand anthropomorphism on CBI in corporate brand settings. It also contributes to the clarification of previously inconsistent results of the influence of BP on CBI. By showing that consumers' identification with a corporate brand plays a vital role in increasing consumers' active engagement on social media, the study contributes to the relatively sparse body of research on CBE.

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Section: Corporate Brand Anthropomorphismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consumers’ identification with corporate brands: Brand prestige, anthropomorphism and engagement in social media

Tuškej

Podnar

2018

JPBM

119

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“…While a strong body of evidence suggests that the satisfaction of belonging needs is one of the most important motivations (e.g., Deci & Ryan, 2000; Depue & Morrone-Strupinsky, 2005) and conditions of human well-being (e.g., Bolger, Foster, Vinokur, & Ng, 1996; Gilbert et al, 2008; Kelly et al, 2011; Mikulincer, Florian, & Hirschberger, 2003), little is known about indirect strategies for regulating these needs (see Gardner, Pickett, & Knowles, 2005; Niemyjska & Drat-Ruszczak, 2013).…”

Section: On Mt and Its Coping Potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

How does love magic work? The regulation of closeness and affect by magical thinking

Niemyjska

2014

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

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Sympathetic magic and attachment theory enable the drawing of a parallel between functions of material possessions that are used in the absence of parents and a romantic partner. The ascribing of magical significance to objects may be a coping strategy facilitated by dispositional anxieties and situational threats. The aim of this research was to examine whether romantic magical thinking (MT) comforts individuals by regulating the perceived distance from a loved one. Study 1 confirmed that perceived closeness mediated the positive association between MT and safe/relaxed emotions. Study 2 revealed that induced MT about a partner’s photograph resulted in increased feelings of this person’s presence, which mediated the link between MT and safe/relaxed emotions. The coping potential of MT is discussed.

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“…When people's needs for social connection are threatened and other people are not available, they often turn to substituting nonhuman entities for social connection. For example, individuals who are chronically lonely are more likely to ascribe human‐like traits, emotions, and agency to nonhuman things, such as pets, robots, and imaginary beings (Epley, Akalis, Waytz, & Cacioppo, ; Epley, Waytz, et al, ; Niemyjska & Drat‐Ruszczak, ). Notably, people can also use their religious beliefs and God as a substitutive connection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

When God is your only friend: Religious beliefs compensate for purpose in life in the socially disconnected

Chan

Michalak

Ybarra

2018

Journal of Personality

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When there is Nobody, Angels Begin to Fly: Supernatural Imagery Elicited by a Loss of Social Connection

Cited by 21 publications

References 40 publications

Consumers’ identification with corporate brands: Brand prestige, anthropomorphism and engagement in social media

Consumers’ identification with corporate brands: Brand prestige, anthropomorphism and engagement in social media

How does love magic work? The regulation of closeness and affect by magical thinking

When God is your only friend: Religious beliefs compensate for purpose in life in the socially disconnected

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