Veena Chattaraman, Ph.D,

Veena Chattaraman, Ph.D, profile and information

Learn more about Veena Chattaraman, Ph.D,

  • Human Sciences Professor

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Short Bio

Dr. Veena Chattaraman is Human Sciences Professor at the Department of Consumer and Design Sciences at Auburn University. Her research interests encompass intelligent technologies for consumer applications, design and consumer psychology, social–psychological aspects of consumer behavior, and design education. Her research projects have been funded by the National Science Foundation and the Marketing Science Institute. She has authored almost 50 research articles and book chapters, which have been published in leading journals such as the Journal of Business Research, International Journal of Consumer Studies, Journal of Product and Brand Management, Journal of Consumer Marketing, Journal of Service Management, Computers in Human Behavior, and Scientific Reports.

Education

  • Ph.D.The Ohio State University2006

  • M. Des.University of Cincinnati2002

Professional Experience

Auburn University | Professor | Aug 2016 – Present

Auburn University | Associate Professor | Aug 2011 – Aug 2016

Auburn University | Assistant Professor | Aug 2006 – Aug 2011

The Ohio State University | Graduate Teaching Associate | 2004 – 2006

The Ohio State University | Graduate Fellow | 2003 – 2004

Columbus College of Art and Design | Instructor | 2003

University of Cincinnati | Instructor | 2000 – 2001

Innovation

Dr. Veena Chattaraman’s research goal encompasses consumer wellness through a Socially-conscious, Theoretically-grounded, Intervention-based, and Transformative (STIT) research approach. Her research program examines how prosocial technology, communications, and design impact consumer decisions and well-being. Her research areas include:

 • Design and evaluation of human-centered AI for electronic, mobile, and conversational commerce and health technology applications

 • Prosocial and pro-health consumer decision-making for healthy foods, and socially responsible products and communications

 • Neuroaesthetics and design for consumer well-being

Courses Taught

  • Survey of Consumer and Design Sciences Research

  • Aesthetics Theory

  • Social Psychological Theories

  • Aesthetics for Fashion

  • Illustration Techniques for Apparel

  • Consumer Decision Making for Apparel and Fashion Products

Publications by Research Area

Design and Evaluation of Human-Centered AI

1. Chattaraman, V., Kwon, W.-S., *Ross, K., *Sung, J., *Alikhademi, K., *Richardson, B., & Gilbert, J.E. (2024). ‘Smart’ Choice? Evaluating AI-Based mobile decision bots for in-store decision-making. Journal of Business Research, 183, 114801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114801

2. Chattaraman, V., Kwon, W.-S., Gilbert, J., & *Ross, K. (2019). Should AI-based, conversational digital assistants employ social- or task-oriented interaction style? A task-competency and reciprocity perspective. Computers in Human Behavior, 90, 315-330. 

3. Chattaraman, V., Kwon, W.-S., Gilbert, J. E., & *Li, Y. (2014). Virtual shopping agents: Persona effects for older users. Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, 8(2), 144-162. 

4. Chattaraman, V., Kwon, W.-S., & Gilbert, J. E. (2013). Internet use and perceived impact on quality of life among older adults: A phenomenological investigation. The International Journal of Health, Wellness and Society, 2(3), 1-13. 

5. Chattaraman, V., Kwon, W.-S., & Gilbert, J. E. (2012). Virtual agents in retail websites: Benefits of simulated social interaction for older users. Computers in Human Behavior, 28, 2055-2066. 

6. *Shim, S., Kwon, W.-S., Chattaraman, V., & Gilbert, J. E. (2012). Virtual sales associates for mature consumers: Technical and social support in e-retail service interactions. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 30(3), 232-248. 

7. Chattaraman, V., Kwon, W.-S., Gilbert, J. E., & *Shim, S. I. (2011). Virtual agents in e-commerce: Representational characteristics for seniors. Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, 5(4), 276-297.

 

Prosocial and Pro-Health Consumer Decision-Making

1. *Stovall, C. E., Chattaraman, V., Sadachar, A., & Michaelson, D. (2025). Accumulative vs. appreciative materialism: Implications for sustainable apparel consumption. Journal of Sustainable Marketing, 144-165. https://doi.org/10.51300/JSM-2025-148

2. Chakraborty, S. & Chattaraman, V. (2025). Predicting self-transcendental and self-serving consumption through spirituality, self-concept clarity, and consumer values. Submitted to Journal of Consumer Marketing, 42(6), 780-794. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCM-06-2024-6935

3. Chakraborty, S. & Chattaraman, V. (2025). Consumer decoupling: Linkages between social-environmental empathy, spirituality, mindful consumption, and subjective well-being. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 53(4), e70017. https://doi.org/10.1111/fcsr.70017

4. Chattaraman, V., Lee, Y. M., Robinson, E. M., *Book, A. J., & *Al-Amin, F. (2025). Empowering healthy food choice: Efficacy of health promotion vs. disease prevention social marketing interventions in an online study. Journal of Social Marketing, 15(23), 219-244. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSOCM-06-2024-0137

5. *Reid-Partin, K., & Chattaraman, V. (2023). Social comparisons and compensatory consumption: The art of buying a superior self. Sustainability, 15(22), 15950. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215950 

 6. Chattaraman, V., Lee, Y.M., *Robinson, E.M., *Book, A.J., & *Al-Amin, F. (2023). The effects of social distance and front-of-package claims on healthy food selection: Moderating role of perceived importance of eating healthily. Nutrients, 15, 3427. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15153427

 7. *Sung, J., & Chattaraman, V. (2022). Why are style subscriptions popular with Gen-Y men? An implicit theory perspective. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 26(5), 890-904. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFMM-03-2021-0064 

 8. *Chakraborty, S., & Chattaraman, V. (2021). Acculturative stress and consumption-based coping strategies among first-generation Asian-Indian immigrants in the U.S. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 00, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.12731 

 9. Banerjee, T., Chattaraman, V., *Zhou, H., & Deshpande, G. (2020). A neurobehavioral study on the efficacy of price interventions in promoting healthy food choices among low socioeconomic families. Nature Scientific Reports, 10(15435). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-71082-y 

 10. *Rolling, V., Seifert, C., Chattaraman, V., & Sadachar, A. (2020). Pro-environmental millennial consumers’ responses to the fur conundrum of luxury brands. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 45(3), 350-363. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.12626

 11. *Johnson, O., & Chattaraman, V. (2020). Signaling socially responsible consumption among millennials: An identity-based perspective. Social Responsibility Journal, 17(1), 87-105. https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-02-2019-0074 

 12. *Rashid, S., & Chattaraman, V. (2019). Do consumers react differently to sweatshop allegations on luxury and non-luxury brands? A brand entitativity-based account. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 23(1), 138-155. 

 13. *Johnson, O., & Chattaraman, V. (2019). Conceptualization and measurement of Millennial’s self- and social-signaling for socially responsible consumption. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 18(1), 32-42. 

 14. Kumar, V., Chattaraman, V., *Neghina, C., Skiera, B., Aksoy, L., Buoye, A., & Henseler, J. (2013). Data-driven services marketing in a connected world. Journal of Service Management, 24(3), 330-352. 

 15. *Aghekan, M., Forsythe, S., Kwon, W.-S., & Chattaraman, V. (2012). The role of product brand image and online store image on perceived risks and online purchase intentions. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 19(3), 325-331. 

 16. Chattaraman, V., Lennon, S. J., & Rudd, N. A. (2010). Social identity salience: Effects on identity-based brand choices of Hispanic consumers. Psychology & Marketing, 27(3), 263-284. 

 17. Chattaraman, V., Rudd, N. A., & Lennon, S. J. (2010). The malleable bicultural consumer: Effects of cultural contexts on aesthetic judgments. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 9(Jan-Feb), 18-31. 

 18. Chattaraman, V., Rudd, N. A., & Lennon, S. J. (2009). Identity salience and shifts in product preferences of Hispanic consumers: Cultural relevance of product attributes as a moderator. Journal of Business Research, 62(8), 826-833. 

 19. Chattaraman, V., & Lennon, S. J. (2008). Ethnic identity, consumption of cultural apparel and self-perceptions of ethnic consumers. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 12(4), 518-531. 

 

Neuroaesthetics and Design 

1. *Nanu, L., Chattaraman, V., & Rahman, I. (2025). Transforming spaces, shaping choices: The impact of room aesthetics on guest booking preferences. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 126, 104100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2025.104100

2. *Michaelson, D. M., *Kim, B. and Chattaraman, V. (2024). Does typicality matter in zero-waste apparel design? Exploring consumers' aesthetic preferences and purchase intentions. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management. In-press. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFMM-07-2023-0179 

3. Goh, Y. S., Shim, S. I., & Chattaraman, V. (2023). Can atypicality in product design benefit brands? Trade-offs in product and brand typicality and the mediating role of perceived novelty. The International Journal of Design Management and Professional Practice, 18(1), 103-130. https://doi.org/10.18848/2325-162X/CGP/v18i01/103-130 

4. *Cui, T., Chattaraman, V., & Sun, S. (2022). Examining users’ perceptions of a 3DP integrated apparel: An FEA consumer study. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 26(2), 266-288. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFMM-02-2021-0036 

5. *Seifert, C., & Chattaraman, V. (2020). A picture is worth a thousand words! How visual storytelling transforms the aesthetic experience of novel designs. Journal of Product and Brand Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBM-01-2019-2194 

6. *Seifert, C., *Cui, T. & Chattaraman, V. (2019). Can brands deviate from their brand aesthetic? Brand luxury status as a moderator. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 23(2), 176-192. 

7. *Michaelson, D., Teel, K., & Chattaraman, V. (2018). Assessing functional needs of rock climbing pants. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 36(4), 235-250. 

8. *Seifert, C., & Chattaraman, V. (2017). Too new or too complex? Why consumers’ aesthetic sensitivity matters in apparel design evaluation. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 21(2), 262-276. 

9. Chattaraman, V., Deshpande, G., Kim, H.J., & *Sreenivasan, K.R. (2016). Form 'defines' function: Neural Connectivity between aesthetic perception and product purchase decisions in an fMRI study. Journal of Consumer Behavior, 15, 335-347. 

10. *Wang, Y., Chattaraman, V., Kim, H., & Deshpande, G. (2015). Predicting purchase decisions based on spatio-temporal functional MRI features using machine learning. Transactions on Autonomous Mental Development, 7(3), 248-255. 

11. *Faber, M. E., Chattaraman, V., & Simmons, K. P. (2014). Men’s fit preferences in outdoor performance clothing: A qualitative investigation. Critical Studies in Men’s Fashion, 1(3), 255-274. 

12. *Goh, Y. S., Chattaraman, V., & Forsythe, S. (2014). Product design in brand extensions: The impact of brand and category fit on attitudes and purchase via affective and cognitive routes. International Journal of Cultural and Creative Industries, 1(2), 36-51. 

13. Chattaraman, V., Simmons, K. P., & Ulrich, P. (2013). Age, body size, body image and fit preferences of male consumers. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 31(4), 291-305. 

14. *Goh, Y. S., Chattaraman, V., & Forsythe, S. (2013). Brand and category design feature consistency in brand extensions. Journal of Product and Brand Management, 22(4), 272-285. 

15. Chattaraman, V., & Rudd, N. A. (2006). Preferences for aesthetic attributes in clothing as a function of body image, body cathexis and body size. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 24(1), 46-61. 

Design Education 

1. *Seifert, C., & Chattaraman, V. (2016). Identity formation and self-reflection strategies in the development of apparel design eportfolios. Fashion, Industry, and Education, 14(2), 12-21. 

2. Chattaraman, V., Tan, L., & Peek, P. (2016). Use of digital drawing tablets in design communication: Focus on apparel and interior design studios. The International Journal of Design Education, 10(4), 1-7. 

3. Tan, L., Peek, P., & Chattaraman, V. (2015). HEI-LO model: A grounded theory approach to assess digital drawing tools. Journal of Interior Design, 40(1). 

4. Chattaraman, V., Sankar, C., & *Vallone, A. (2010). Action learning: Application to case-study development in graduate design education. Art, Design, and Communication in Higher Education. 9(2), 183-198.

Honors and Awards

  • ITAA Paper of Distinction Award (2024) in Sustainability and Social Responsibility Track

  • ACRA/AMA Conference Best Paper Award: Runner Up (2024)

  • ITAA Paper of Distinction Award (2022) in Consumer Behavior Track

  • Best Poster Award (2018) 20th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction

  • Best Poster Award for Faculty Engagement (2017) 18th Annual Engagement Scholarship Consortium Conference

  • Best Reviewer Award (2012), Clothing and Textiles Research Journal

  • Winner of Research Competition on Innovation (2011), Marketing Science Institute

  • Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award (2011), Auburn University

  • College of Human Sciences Women’s Philanthropy Board Faculty Award (2010), Auburn University

  • ITAA Paper of Distinction Award (2010) in the Merchandising Visual Track (2010)

  • ITAA Fairchild Publications Textile & Apparel Faculty Award (2007)