The Mind of a Collector

Consumer Behavior

Astute Collecting: Ferreting Out the Truly Novel Piece

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on September 17, 2023

What to consider before buying a novel collectible.

What to consider before buying a novel collectible.

Addiction

Do New Diabetes Drugs Reveal a Way to Treat Compulsive Behavior?

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on September 3, 2023

New diabetes drugs have the unexpected benefit not only of weight loss but diminished craving for alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. Could they also alter behavioral compulsions?

New diabetes drugs have the unexpected benefit not only of weight loss but diminished craving for alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. Could they also alter behavioral compulsions?

Bias

How Bias Influences Collection Formation

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on August 14, 2023

Collectors who focus on what they can control make better choices.

Collectors who focus on what they can control make better choices.

Authenticity

Fakes: Science Versus Connoisseurship and Provenance

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on July 24, 2023

Though provenance and connoisseurship are normally used to determine authenticity, the eye can be fooled, and the provenance can be faked.

Though provenance and connoisseurship are normally used to determine authenticity, the eye can be fooled, and the provenance can be faked.

Creativity

Adults Who Collect Dolls: Not Just Fun But Also Therapeutic

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on July 11, 2023

Adult collectors of dolls can be divided into those displaying an insecure or secure sense of self. Each has its own characteristics and outcomes.

Adult collectors of dolls can be divided into those displaying an insecure or secure sense of self. Each has its own characteristics and outcomes.

Gender

Women and Wine: A Collectible for the Fair Sex?

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on June 26, 2023

In a recent Gallup Poll of U.S. drinkers, 49% of women preferred wine compared to 15% of men. Yet women are underrepresented in the wine industry. Why?

In a recent Gallup Poll of U.S. drinkers, 49% of women preferred wine compared to 15% of men. Yet women are underrepresented in the wine industry. Why?

Loneliness

The Social Aspects of Vinyl Clubs

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on June 18, 2023

Collecting vinyl and belonging to a related club can have hidden benefits. Here are those advantages, both social and physical.

Collecting vinyl and belonging to a related club can have hidden benefits. Here are those advantages, both social and physical.

Consumer Behavior

Record Collectors: Unique Characteristics or Not?

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on June 5, 2023

Record collectors are special. They are able to listen to the records they collect. Does this make them unique compared to other collectors or not?

Record collectors are special. They are able to listen to the records they collect. Does this make them unique compared to other collectors or not?

Behavioral Economics

Science and Wine Collecting: Do They Mix?

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on May 20, 2023

The ability to judge wine is not shared equally by every person. Research suggests that most of us are not as able as we would like to be.

The ability to judge wine is not shared equally by every person. Research suggests that most of us are not as able as we would like to be.

Heuristics

Selling the Less-Choice Pieces in an Art Collection

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on May 8, 2023

How does a collector deaccess lesser items in her collection? Though there are few avenues open, this essay gives an option that has not been written about to my knowledge.

How does a collector deaccess lesser items in her collection? Though there are few avenues open, this essay gives an option that has not been written about to my knowledge.

Confidence

The Psychological Cost of Deaccession

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on April 25, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Less-than-vigorous bidding for my treasures completely swept me down a rabbit hole. It must happen to other collectors, too.

A Personal Perspective: Less-than-vigorous bidding for my treasures completely swept me down a rabbit hole. It must happen to other collectors, too.

Altruism

Options for Selling a Collection

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on April 18, 2023

Though buying is what collecting is all about, at some point selling beloved objects has to be considered. Here are the options.

Though buying is what collecting is all about, at some point selling beloved objects has to be considered. Here are the options.

Creativity

An Evolving Picture of Artists and Mental Health

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on March 22, 2023

A new study shows an association between mental disease and creativity.

A new study shows an association between mental disease and creativity.

Personality

How Collector Personalities Relate to Their Art Preferences

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on February 26, 2023

The relationship between personality and art preferences is complex, and varied, and will depend on an individual's unique characteristics and experiences. 

The relationship between personality and art preferences is complex, and varied, and will depend on an individual's unique characteristics and experiences. 

Personality

Spending Money on Collectibles: A Battle Within?

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on January 25, 2023

Depending on the collector, money issues can be key. Recent research can benefit individuals on their collecting journies.

Depending on the collector, money issues can be key. Recent research can benefit individuals on their collecting journies.

Personality

What Your Art Collection Says About You

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on December 29, 2022

What we explore here is virgin territory, a new concept: How to decipher inherent psychological principles related to a collector when he makes choices about art.

What we explore here is virgin territory, a new concept: How to decipher inherent psychological principles related to a collector when he makes choices about art.

Mating

Why Certain People Respond to Cubist Art

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on November 30, 2022

Why do some people like cubist art, while others don't respond to it? Science is beginning to unfold this mystery.

Why do some people like cubist art, while others don't respond to it? Science is beginning to unfold this mystery.

Psychology

Collectomania: The Motivations Behind a Collector's Passion

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on November 7, 2022

An art exhibit that features psychology.

An art exhibit that features psychology.

Psychology

The Psychology of Madonna NFT Sale Prices

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on October 21, 2022

Recently Madonna and Beeple sold a trio of Nonfungible Art Tokens. Their selling price relates to the influence of psychological forces.

Recently Madonna and Beeple sold a trio of Nonfungible Art Tokens. Their selling price relates to the influence of psychological forces.

Smoking

The Neural Origins of Collecting

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on September 10, 2022

We don't know whether collecting has a hereditary component, but we do know that smoking and collecting have some features in common. Could the brains of each share similarities?

We don't know whether collecting has a hereditary component, but we do know that smoking and collecting have some features in common. Could the brains of each share similarities?