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How Do Brand Associations Shape Perception & Influence Behavior? May 2, 2025 | Authenticity, Brand Equity, Customer Loyalty, Intangible, Marketing, Perception, Question a Day Question a Day How Brand Associations Shape Perception and Influence Consumer Behavior Brand associations are the mental connections consumers make between a brand and its attributes, emotions, or experiences. These associations play a critical role in shaping perception, influencing buying decisions, and determining long-term brand success. A strong brand association can make a company unforgettable—just like how Apple is synonymous with innovation, or Nike with athletic excellence. In this article, we'll explore how brand associations impact consumer perception, business success, and marketing strategy. What Are Brand Associations? Brand associations are the thoughts, images, and feelings that come to mind when a consumer encounters a brand. These can be based on: Product attributes  (e.g., Volvo = Safet...

Why Does Time Feel Like It Moves Faster or Slower? April 19, 2025 | Aging, Change, Critical Thinking, Mental Models, Perception, Perspective, Question a Day, Time Management, Timing Question a Day Time Isn’t Changing — You Are Time is measured with atomic precision. Your experience of it? Not so much. Some days vanish without a trace, while others seem to last longer than a badly told joke at a dinner party. So why the discrepancy? It turns out  your brain’s internal clock is less like a Rolex, more like a moody sundial in a foggy garden. 1.  Emotions Bend Time Like Taffy Emotions are the special effects department of your time perception. Fear and anxiety  put your brain on high alert, capturing more detail, stretching the moment.  Happiness and engagement  distract you from time entirely—hence why joyful hours are gone in what feels like five minutes and a good snack.  Think of emotion as your brain’s dramatic best friend—it tends to exaggerate. 2.  ...

Why do we feel déjà vu, and what causes it? March 9, 2025 | Curiosity, Neuroscience, Perception, Philosophy and Big Questions, Psychology, Question a Day Question a Day   Déjà Vu: The Brain’s Biggest Glitch or a Glimpse into the Matrix? The eerie feeling that you've already experienced a moment before— déjà vu —is one of the strangest and most mysterious phenomena of the human mind. It can happen anywhere: during a conversation, while visiting a new place, or even when hearing a familiar song. But why do we feel déjà vu, and what actually causes it? Let’s dive into the science, theories, and psychology behind this perplexing experience. What Is Déjà Vu? The term  déjà vu  is French for  “already seen”  and describes the unsettling sense that a new experience is strangely familiar—even though you know it shouldn’t be. 🔹  Common characteristics of déjà vu: ✔ Happens suddenly and lasts only a few seconds. ✔ Feels oddly real but cannot be consciously recalled ...