Via BoingBoing:
A group of researchers have used a functional MRI to map out the parts of the brain that respond to brand identity, showing how Pavlovian conditioning generates response to a brand-mark.
If you’re like me, you’ve spent at least a couple minutes considering why logos like the Nike Swoosh or the Coke can become so memorable. Turns out you have about as much chance beating an urge to buy new tennies as you do not eating that nice plump hot dog smothered in chili and sharp cheddar. Who’s to blame? Are we merely unwitting slaves to these crafty marketers? How can they know so well what’s going to push our buttons? These guys think they’ve figured it all out.