Reducing the Spoiler Effect in Experiential Consumption

It is commonly believed that a consumer’s interest in consuming a particular narrative (e.g., a movie) will be significantly reduced after exposure to a spoiler (e.g., the murderer’s identity in a detective movie). Our study applies affective forecasting and focusing illusion bias to explain the psychological process that underlies the spoiler effect. We argue that a spoiler produces unfavorable forecasted affects because focusing illusion narrows people’s attention to the plot. Based on this premise, we suggest a method by which marketers can reduce the negative impact of spoilers on consumers’ behavior intention. These objectives will be accomplished through two experiments.