Hi, I'm Robina.

I'm a Consumer Behavior researcher at the University of Texas at Austin. I study when and why people try to venture beyond what they regularly experience and already know. I also study how they respond to these new memories and pieces of knowledge.

So far, my research examines the role of the protagonist mindset, perceived busyness, and curiosity in these ventures. 

I ask questions like... 

How do people decide whether to pursue experiences beyond their ordinary routines? Are certain people more delighted by these experiences?

When do people want to learn unknown information? How does their curiosity affect the way they interpret this information?

When are people willing to take risks or go beyond their comfort zone? 


My Key Focuses: Interest, Novelty, Curiosity, Narratives, Leisure, Adventure, Delight, Memory 

To learn more about my research, check out my projects on

Gaining New Experiences &

Gaining Unknown Information

Gaining New Experiences 


People spend most of their time on routine activities: going to work, doing chores, watching TV at home, eating at familiar places, etc. But sometimes, people venture beyond the ordinary and familiar. For example, they might try a new cafe, take a trip abroad, attend a music festival etc. 


These moments of leaving the familiar help consumers live psychologically richer lives, experience personal growth, make key memories, and experience intense emotions. However, such "extraordinary" experiences often require additional time, money, or effort and a willingness to not know exactly what the experience will be like. 


My research examines how consumer perceptions of themselves encourage or hinder their willingness to pursue novel or extraordinary experiences. 


Projects on this Topic: 


Early-stage Work on this Topic:


Gaining Unknown Information

I am also interested in how consumers respond to the unknown at a more granular level. There are often times when consumers may be missing (potentially important) information. For example, while shopping you may see a product and not yet know what the price is. While waiting for a package to be delivered, you might not know exactly how much time is left before your package arrives. Marketers have to make decisions about how and when to present this kind of information. 


I try to better understand the circumstances in which consumers care to learn this information and feel curious about it. I also am interested in how marketing decisions about how information is presented affect consumer evaluations of the product or the experience of waiting for the product. 


Working Papers on this Topic: 


Early-stage Work on this Topic: 



Get in touch at robina.ghosh@austin.utexas.edu

CV: 

Robina Ghosh CV 2023.docx