Why we re-consume

May 30, 2012

I could watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer over and over.  And over. Beverly Hills, 90210, too.

And a new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research explains why. The findings show that the reason we watch our favourite shows or movies over and over goes beyond nostalgia.

We watch reruns over and over (or “re-consume”) because of the guaranteed outcome (what could more satisfying than seeing Buffy kick Faith’s ass? Or Donna drunk at prom?), enhanced viewing from watching that same scene a million times or rediscovery of subtle details (such as did Donna’s boobs always look so odd? And by “odd” I mean messed up!).

(But I get a kick out of the nostaligia, too, like remembering all the styles I copied straight from these shows — from the baby doll dress to the tiny butterfly clips in the hair).

Filed under: Random Swellness,Swellbeing

Tags: 90210, Beverly Hills, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, movies, reruns, television, TV