Public Health: The Ethical Potential for Applied Neuromarketing
Manipulated Minds by Olivia Buzzell
Year: Senior
Major: Communication, Business Application
Summary of Work: This podcast explores how neuromarketing, a field that uses neuroscience to influence consumer behavior, can be ethically applied to support public health. I trace its role in anti-smoking campaigns, showing how graphic warning labels evolved from early text-only versions based on insights from brain imaging. These emotionally impactful images have been shown to reduce appetitive responses to smoking, helping people make healthier decisions. As e-cigarette marketing now targets youth, I argue that neuromarketing could again be used to counteract harmful advertising. I conclude that neuromarketing can serve the public good rather than just commercial interests if used with integrity and proper regulation.