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Dr. Ostinelli is a consumer behavior researcher interested in understanding the psychological processes that shape consumers’ judgments and decisions. His work focuses on two key areas: the role of linguistics in communication and consumers’ interactions with AI.

Ostinelli plans to use the Behavioral Insights Lab to study how psychological processes influence consumer decisions, informing better marketing and policy strategies. He is excited to collaborate with BIL’s interdisciplinary teams to bridge theory and practice.

Education

• PhD (2009) Marketing, McGill University

• Ostinelli, Max; Bonezzi, Andrea. (2026). Experts’ Ability to Predict the Future Fosters Unwarranted Optimistic Expectations, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 32(2), 277-291
• Bilgihan, Anil; Ostinelli, Max; Zhang, Ye; Lorenz, Melanie. (2025). Artificial Intelligence (AI) Agents and the Future of Customer Loyalty, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 37(9), 3240-3262
• Ostinelli, Max; Bonezzi, Andrea; Lisjak, Monika. (2025). Unintended Effect of Algorithmic Transparency: The mere prospect of an explanation can foster the illusion of understanding how an algorithm works, Journal of Consumer Psychology, 35(2), 203-219
• Ostinelli, Max; Luna, David. (2024). Acceleration Neglect in Trend Extrapolations, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 30(3), 482-495
• Lorenz, Melanie; Bilgihan, Anil; Zhang, Ye; Ostinelli, Max. (2024). Non-native Language Consumers and Their Perceptions of Online Privacy Risks: The Impact of Dual Language, 2024 AMS Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD
• Ostinelli, Max; Bonezzi, A.; Lisjak, M.. (2023). Prospects of Explanations Foster Illusory Understanding of AI, Association for Consumer Research, Seattle, WA
• Ostinelli, Max; Bonezzi, A.; Lisjak, M.. (2023). The Unintended Effect of Algorithmic Transparency, Society of Consumer Psychology, San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Bonezzi, A.; Ostinelli, Max; Melzner, J.. (2022). The Human Black Box: Illusionary Understanding Drives Preference for Human over Algorithmic Decision-Making, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 151(9), 2250-2258
• Ostinelli, Max; Luna, D.. (2022). Syntax and the Illusion of Fit: How Grammatical Subject Influences Persuasion, Journal of Consumer Research, 48(5), 885-903
• Bonezzi, A.; Ostinelli, Max. (2021). Can Algorithms Legitimize Discrimination?, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 27(2), 447-459
• Resch, P.; Ostinelli, Max. (2019). Endorsement by Association at the Point of Care: A Process View, Health Marketing Quarterly, 36(4), 354-367
• Ostinelli, Max; Bockenholt, U.. (2017). Overcoming Lower Imagery Ability through Process Priming: How Procedural Priming Enhances Imagery Appeals, International Journal of Research in Marketing, 34(4), 799-812
• Ostinelli, Max; Luna, D.; Ringberg, T.. (2014). When Up Brings You Down: The Effects of Imagined Vertical Movements on Motivation, Performance, and Consumer Behavior, Journal of Consumer Psychology, 24(2), 271-283