In this episode of Nerdology, we tackle the growing trend of using facial coding in consumer research and why it might not be as reliable as it seems. Drawing on the groundbreaking work of neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett, we explore her Theory of Constructed Emotion and why emotions are far more context-dependent than we think. We also discuss why relying on facial expressions to interpret emotions can lead to misleading insights and highlight better alternatives—like implicit association testing and behavioral science frameworks—that can help us truly understand consumer reactions. If you're ready to rethink what you know about emotion in consumer research, this episode is for you!
