Discussion Post
TOPIC I: Model of Consumer Behavior - Personal Application
Let's take the Model of Consumer Behavior for a spin. Consider a time you purchased a nice dinner at an upscale restaurant.
o What was your choice of restaurant? Provide a link to the restaurant, if possible.
o Go through all the variables outlined in the first two columns of the model, environmental factors, and consumer factors, and identify the factors that influenced your decision. Note how they resulted in your purchase decision. (Hint: You might have to read ahead for more thorough explanations of each factor.)
As illustrated in Figure 3.2 in the main text, there are six steps in a consumer decision-making process. It looks like quite a bit of work considering the number of purchase decisions we make in the course of a week. So consumers have developed a shorthand for making purchases, which we have categorized into types of consumer buying decisions based on the level of involvement. The course readings explain the role of involvement in decision making, and refer to those readings to get a better understanding of routine, complex, and limited problem solving.
o What was your decision-making behavior in the restaurant purchase? Was it a routine, complex, or limited problem-solving situation? Identify which behavior and explain how the level of involvement played into your decision.
TOPIC II: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - Personal Application
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is the model for studying the psychological factors that affect decision making. Review the model and take a shot at identifying at which stage you are currently located (fortunately, our stage changes over time). Essentially, your stage affects your consumer decision making.
Based on the stage you are in, what types of purchases have you been making that are consistent with this stage?
For example, have you switched to buying only organic food because you are mostly concerned with fulfilling your social needs? Or, are you still searching for the lowest-priced foods because you are still filling your basic need for food? Or, do you find yourself donating time or money to charities because you are trying to reach self-actualization?
The response should include a reference list. Using double-space, Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.