Researchers wanted to investigate the impact of social media influencer marketing on energy drink consumption among adolescents.
They conducted a meta-analysis on studies published between 2012 and 2024 involving participants aged 12–18 years, assessing how social media influencer endorsements (specifically on video-sharing platforms) influenced dietary preferences and choices.
The meta-analysis included video ads, sponsored posts, and product placement by domestic and international influencers, while excluding traditional TV, print media, and adult-focused marketing.
The researchers compared data on influencer-endorsed energy drinks with endorsements of non-food lifestyle products (such as tech accessories or clothing). 12 studies on energy drink advertising and 6 studies on lifestyle product advertising met the criteria.
Two methodologies were analyzed:
The study concluded that exposure to social media influencer energy drink marketing significantly increases immediate consumption and long-term purchasing behavior in adolescents.
Using research evidence, explain how far learning theories can account for the findings of the social media influencer and adolescent energy drink consumption study.
205 exam-style questions on Edexcel A Level Psychology Content, covering Main features of classical conditioning, Pavlov (1927) salivation in dogs, Main features of operant conditioning, Properties of reinforcement, Behaviour modification and shaping, Main features of social learning theory, Social learning stages, Bandura (1961, 1963) Bobo doll experiments, Bandura (1965) vicarious reinforcement, Learning theories and phobias, Treatments for phobias, Individual differences, and Developmental psychology. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.