How did people react to the ad?

Public Reaction to Advertisement

The reaction to advertisements can vary widely and is often characterized by certain psychological reactions such as reactance. Here are some key insights:

1. Manipulated Needs and Wants: Advertisements are designed to create a feeling of inadequacy in consumers, which is then addressed by the announced solutions. This can lead to a superficial engagement with the products being advertised. For example, an initiative by Dove was perceived as manipulative when they targeted the appearance of armpits, a concern that was essentially nonexistent for the public 1.

2. Reactance to Advertising: When advertisements are perceived as encroaching on personal freedom or autonomy, they often generate a reaction called 'reactance'. This is a resistance where the audience may choose to ignore the message or act contrary to what is being suggested. This happens because people do not appreciate feeling manipulated or overly directed by advertisements 2.

   • 

     1

     Neglecting What's Important

     00:53:34
     
   • 

     2

     Reactance in Advertising

     00:15:41