The Corpus Callosum

Several days ago, I saw an article about some research on the relationship between the price of wine, the subjective experience of taste, and the effect of wine on brain function as assessed by fMRI.  

The research is part of the growing body of work that pertains to the study of neural effects of marketing: neuromarketing.  Of course, marketing is conducted in order to change behavior.  Behavior is changed by perceptions, which are mediated by the brain.  So it makes sense to study the effect that marketing has on the brain.

I did not get around to writing a post on the topic.  In the meantime, Jonah Lehrer wrote about it on The Frontal Cortex.  Read his post before finishing this one.  He has the links, and a good explanation of what the study was about and what it means.

OK, you're back.

I have just a couple of things to add.  First of all, the study referred to something they called "experienced utility."  I guess they are referring to the value that a person  thinks they got from a purchase.  They also refer to "subjective reports of flavor pleasantness."   This phrase denotes the person's sensory experience, which, with respect to wine, makes up much of the utility.

What I wonder about, is this: is it true that most of the utility of a bottle of wine comes from the taste of the wine?  Unless a person buys the wine specifically with the intent of becoming intoxicated, it would appear so...at least at first glance.

What people are trying to get, when they buy a bottle of wine, is indeed an experience.  Part of that experience is the taste.  Part of it may be intoxication.  But part of it is an expression of -- and investment in -- self identity.

If you buy a 40 oz. bottle of Budweiser, you become, in part, a person who buys Budweiser.  Perhaps it is hard to see the utility in that, but apparently there is some.  After all, a leather Budweiser NASCAR jacket will set you back $200.  Someone must see some value in it.

Spending money on self-image is nothing new.  Selling self-image is probably the world's second-oldest profession.  

It is easy to measure things in the brain.  But figuring out exactly what it is that you are measuring can be exceptionally difficult.  Figuring out what the measurements mean, may be impossible.