Reports of conflicting valuations of self-relevant consequences
stemming from the same attributes are well accommodated
by the MEC theory and are not unusual in studies
about the motives behind food choice. It is thought that
these conflicting valuations make consumers choice more
difficult by leading them to more often weigh the positive
against the negative outcomes of product use before a purchase
decision (Reynolds & Gutman, 2001). This can affect
the frequency with which ready meals are purchased, as
well as become an obstacle to the introduction of new
products, especially if the negative outcomes are perceived
to often outweigh the positive ones.