How the Pratfall Effect Makes Flawed Brands More Likable

Marketing Psychology with Fexingo: Behavioral Triggers, Persuasion, and Consumer Behavior · Jul 23, 2026 · 7m · transcript

In this episode of Marketing Psychology, Lucas and Luna explore the Pratfall Effect — the counterintuitive idea that minor flaws or mistakes can actually make a brand or person more attractive, not less. They start with a famous 1966 experiment by Elliot Aronson where a near-perfect quiz contestant who spilled coffee was rated more likable than one who didn't. Then they move to modern marketing: how a small service hiccup at a high-end hotel chain actually improved guest satisfaction scores, and why AutoTrader UK's deliberate use of slightly awkward TV presenters boosted ad recall…