Fashion Consumers' Gossip Behavior Tendency

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine consumers' gossip behavior tendency with regard to collectivism and public self-consciousness. Three hundred fifty-five college students (male: 123, female; 227) in the 20s age group participated in this study. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, multiple regression, t-test, Pearson's Correlation, and Cronbach's Alpha were used to test the research questions. As the result, first, those who had a higher score on collectivism had higher gossip behavior tendency than those who had a lower score. Second, those who had a higher public self-consciousness had higher gossip behavior tendency than those who did not. Third, female students showed more gossip behavior tendency than male students did. Finally, all three variables (collectivism, public self-consciousness, and gender)) did affect on gossip behavior tendency among college students. Out three variables, collectivism affected on gossip behavior tendency the most. These results would provide useful information for fashion marketers to understand fashion consumers better. Based on these results, fashion marketing strategies such as WOM (word-of-mouth) marketing strategy would be provided to fashion retailers or marketers.