Words and Places That Shape Behavior

Words and Places That Shape Behavior, the sixth installment in the Consumer Corner series, brings the concept of place to the forefront, connecting what people say to where they actually go. By combining insights from online and social media conversations with real-world foot traffic data, the book reveals how consumers’ stated preferences align with―or diverge from―their actions..

From the rhythms of back-to-school shopping and childcare to the draw of state fairs, lakes, and local landmarks, this book explores how everyday choices shape the places where people gather and spend their time. It examines seasonal shopping and dining trends, what happens when we break those routines, and how community events, recreation areas, and shifting dynamics of remote and in-person work influence where people go and how they spend their time.

Blending behavioral economics, data analytics, and place-based storytelling, Words and Places That Shape Behavior highlights the intersections of place, language, and time in shaping consumer behaviors. For professionals in business, marketing, and anyone curious about how words, movement, and meaning connect, this book provides a grounded, data-driven look at how we live, gather, and make decisions.

Nicole J. Olynk Widmar is an agricultural economist specializing in farm businesses and consumer decision-making under uncertainty. She serves as a professor and the head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University.

Michael L. Smith is a research scientist specializing in the human dimensions of resource use, applying cross-disciplinary methods in agricultural economics and the social sciences. He works in Purdue University’s Department of Agricultural Economics.

Erin Robinson is a communications and marketing professional with experience in agricultural business and academic research environments. As marketing manager for Purdue University’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business, she develops marketing strategies, creates content and outreach initiatives, drives brand awareness, and evaluates marketing effectiveness.