Abstract
This commentary reflects upon consumer vulnerability in the ‘fourth age’ through a consideration of the case of Sandra Bem. In doing so, we focus on how Alzheimer’s disease affected Bem’s ability to make decisions and navigate the market to commit suicide. Subsequently, this article reflects upon terror management theory, ‘fourth age’ consumption and self-consciousness to suggest that future studies of degenerative illness are likely to breathe further life into the study of vulnerable consumers.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 386-392 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Marketing Management |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 3-4 |
Early online date | 6 Jan 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2016 |
Keywords
- consumer vulnerability
- ‘fourth age’ consumption
- Alzheimer’s disease
- terror management theory
- self-conciousness
- Sandra Bem