The six cards were presented to participants numbered with three-digit random codes, and following a balanced order for each participant (MacFie, Bratchell, Greenhoff, & Vallis, 1989).
2.3.1. Word association task
Consumers were asked to evaluate each of the six cards with the packages one at a time, and to write down the first four images, associations, thoughts or feelings that came to their minds when thinking of the dessert inside the packages.
2.3.2. Conjoint analysis task
After completing the word association task, participants were also asked to evaluate their expected liking of the desserts using a 9-point hedonic scale labelled on the left with ‘dislike very much’ and on the right with ‘like very much’, and their willingness to purchase the desserts using a 9-point structured scale labelled on the left with ‘I would definitively not buy it’ and on the right with ‘I would definitively buy it’.