In marketing and brand development, companies strive to create products and experiences that resonate with consumers on a deep level. To achieve this, it is crucial to understand the complex relationship between consumers’ sense of self and their perception of brands. Recent research conducted by Bruce Goldman of Stanford sheds light on the brain structure responsible for our physical sense of self or “I,” known as the anterior precuneus or aPCu. This newfound knowledge has significant implications for brand innovation and consumer behavior.
The aPCu is part of a network of brain regions that integrate information about our location, motion, and bodily sensations to form our self-awareness. When the activity in the aPCu is disrupted, people experience altered perceptions of their position in the world, leading to feelings of depersonalization. This highlights the importance of the aPCu in shaping our sense of self and how we perceive the world around us.
So, how does this understanding of the brain’s structure relate to brand innovation? The answer lies in the “concept-of-self” and its significance in consumer behavior. The concept-of-self refers to how individuals perceive and define themselves, including their values, beliefs, and identity. It encompasses both the physical/bodily self (“I”) and the narrative self (“me”) — the aspect of self that involves thinking about the past, future, memories, and emotions.
Brands that successfully tap into consumers’ concept-of-self can create powerful connections and foster brand loyalty. By aligning their brand values and messaging with consumers’ self-perception, brands can evoke emotional responses and establish a sense of personal relevance. The research on the aPCu provides valuable insights into how brands can leverage consumers’ physical sense of self to drive innovation and create meaningful experiences.
One of the ways brands can leverage this understanding is by designing products and services that enhance consumers’ physical self-awareness. For example, fitness brands that promote body positivity and empower individuals to embrace and care for their physical well-being align with consumers’ desire for self-improvement and personal growth. By incorporating technology or interactive elements that engage the body and senses, brands can enhance consumers’ connection to their physical selves, strengthening the brand-consumer relationship.
Additionally, understanding the narrative self and its connection to the default mode network can help brands develop compelling storytelling and marketing strategies. The narrative self is associated with memories, emotions, and future planning. Brands that tap into these aspects of the concept-of-self can create narratives that resonate with consumers, evoke nostalgia, and inspire their greatest dreams. By aligning brand stories with consumers’ personal narratives, brands can foster a sense of familiarity, emotional connection, and relevance.
The research on the aPCu also highlights the importance of consistency and authenticity in brand messaging. As consumers develop a strong sense of self, they seek brands that align with their values and beliefs. Inconsistencies between a brand’s messaging and its actions can lead to a disconnection and erode trust. By understanding consumers’ concept-of-self and the brain regions associated with it, brands can ensure their messaging and actions are in line with consumers’ expectations, building a strong and authentic brand image.
The recent discoveries regarding the brain’s anterior precuneus shed light on the intricate relationship between consumers’ concept-of-self and brand innovation. By understanding how consumers’ physical and narrative self-interact, brands can create experiences and messages that align with consumers’ values, emotions, and aspirations. This understanding can inform product development, storytelling, and marketing strategies, ultimately fostering stronger connections between brands and consumers. As the field of neuroscience continues to unravel the mysteries of the human brain, brands have an opportunity to leverage this knowledge to create innovative and meaningful experiences.
