2. Unit 1 – Introduction To Consumer Behavior
Meaning of Consumer Behavior, Features and Importance
Types of Consumer (Institutional & Retail), Diversity of consumers and their
behavior- Types Of Consumer Behavior
Profiling the consumer and understanding their needs
Consumer Involvement
Application of Consumer Behavior knowledge in Marketing
Consumer Decision Making Process and Determinants of Buyer Behavior, factors
affecting each stage, and Need recognition.
3. What is consumer behavior?
Consumer behavior is the study of individuals, groups, or organizations and the
processes they use to select, secure, use, and dispose of products, services,
experiences, or ideas to satisfy their needs and wants.
4. Importance of Consumer Behavior
To design the best possible product or service that fully satisfies consumer's needs
and demands.
To decide where the service or product would be made available for easy access of
consumers.
To decide the price at which the consumers would be ready to buy that product or
service.
To find out the best method of promotion that will prove to be effective to attract
customers to buy a product.
To understand why, when, how, what and other factors that influence buying
decision of the consumers.
5. Disciplines involved in Consumer Behavior
Psychology
Sociology
Social
psychology
Cultural
anthropology
Economics
6. Psychology
It is the study of the individual which includes motivation , perception , attitudes,
personality and learning theories.
Example: someone may buy a Reid and Taylor suiting just because Amitabh
Bachchan endorses it and he feels that his personality would resemble Amitabh’s
after wearing it.
7. Sociology
It is the study of groups.
The influences of group memberships, family and social class on consumer
behavior.
Example: someone might eat at a restaurant just because the mennmbers of the
social group to which he belongs insists in him in doing so,even if he personally
dislikes eating at that place.
8. Social Psychology
It is the combination of sociology and psychology and studies how an individual
operates in a group,
It also studies how those whose opinions they respect as peers,refrence groups,
their families and opinion leaders influence individuals in their consumption
behavior.
9. Cultural Anthropology
It is the study of human beings in society.
It explores the development of core beliefs,values and customs that individuals
inherit from their grandparents.
It also studies subcultures and help compare customers of different nationalities
and cultures.
Examples: people in India drink more tea than coffee and its just the opposite in
US.
10. Economics
It is the study of how customers spend their funds, how they evaluate alternatives
and how they make decisions to get maximum satisfaction from their purchases.
Example: people might buy tide because its cheaper than Ariel or Surf excel and
gives more of less same results.
11. Consumer Involvement
Consumer involvement refers to degree of information processing or extent of
importance that a consumer attaches to a product.
The degree of involvement has a very significant effect on consumer behavior.
When more expensive products are to be purchased, the consumer gets more
involved in purchase process but he may not be equally involved in a product
which is just a rupee or two priced.
12. Examples
CAR- As it is a expensive product so consumer will get highly involved resulting
in higher involvement.
BOOK- The book purchased by a student for preparing competitive exam may
not be as expensive as car, yet the customer gets highly involved because it is a
important product.
MEDICINE- When a medicine is being purchased, which may not be very
expensive, yet the customer may be highly involved in checking that it shouldn’t
react him.
13. Low- involvement High- involvement
Brand beliefs are formed first by passive
learning
Brand beliefs are formed by active learning
Consumer makes purchase decision Consumer evaluates various brands
There may or may not be post-purchase
evaluation
Consumer makes purchase decision
High and Low involvement Hierarchy
14. LEVELS OF INVOLVEMENT
Habitual decisions Simple decisions Lengthy decisions
eg. Tea, toothbrush, eg. Skin cream, eg. Cars, diamond,
Washing powder. Torch, snacks. Property.
HIGH
INVOLVEMENT
LOW
INVOLVEMENT
SOME
INVOLVEMENT
15. Major Dimensions Of Involvement
Moderating Factors
Opportunity to Process
Ability to process
Person
Stimulus/Object
Situation
Intensity
Direction
Persistence
Search
Information
Processing
Decision or
Persuasion
Involvement
Variable
Involvement
Properties
Response
Factors
16. INVOLVMENT VARIABLES
PERSON- The variable related to person refer to personal needs, values, interests
& experiences etc. For example: a person interested in computers is very likely to
have personal interest in computer related magazines to learn about new
development.
STIMULUS/OBJECT- refers to product or stimuli that consumer perceives to be
closely related to his/her values, experience and interest. For example: in case of
computers, one should not expect the same level of involvement for all consumers.
17. INVOLVEMENT PROPERTIES
INTENSITY: Involvement intensity refers to the severity of involvement as
experienced by the consumer and is generally categorized as high or low.
DIRECTION: Direction refers to the focus of involvement and involvement
variables will strongly affect this focus. The focus could be a product, service, ad
or purchase decision.
PERSISTENCE: Persistence describes the length of time the consumer remains
involved with purchase decision.
18. RESPONSE FACTORS
Response factors concern how a consumer behaves under involvement condition
of different intensity.
These factors includes different pattern of information search, information
processing, evaluation of alternatives and post-decision actions.
One may expect that consumer is high in enduring involvement for a product will
undertake regular, ongoing search for information & low involvement will result
in little search for information.
19. Different Types Of Consumers
A product manufacturing company needs to understand the type of consumers it is
targeting with its goods because it is essential to be confident a market exists for
the products they intend to introduce into the market.
Knowing the types of consumers for goods is also important because it enables the
company to appropriately present the product to the potential purchaser, hence
increasing sales and profitability.
20. Seasonal Consumers
Many consumers purchase and consume products on a seasonal basis. They shop
at certain times when the need for them arises.
Cash flow for a business selling seasonal products can be very difficult. Long
periods of the year may be without sales, so it is vital to quickly and effectively
target seasonal consumers.
Examples of products that rely on seasonal consumers:
Umbrellas during the rainy season
Cold or icy drinks during the hot seasons
Christmas trees and decorations in December
Beach wear in summer.
21. Personal Consumers
These types of consumers are individual consumers who purchase goods for the
sole purpose of personal, family or household use.
Examples
Going to the supermarket and shopping for goods which are to be used in the
house
Purchasing a car that you intend to use personally
Purchasing clothes for personal use from a clothing mall
Purchasing a mobile phone for personal communication.
Manufacturers selling products to personal consumers are constantly looking for
ideas for upgrades and add-ons to enhance the appeal of their goods to individuals.
22. Organizational Consumer
Organizational consumers purchase products for organizations, governments or
businesses, They often buy in bulk and may place long-term recurring orders. For
this reason, an organizational consumer is generally highly prized and sought after.
Products and services sold to organizational consumers are often required to meet
very strict standards. They may need to be adapted to meet the specific
requirements of the buyer, and specific prices are negotiated.
Manufacturers and service providers who target organizational consumers are
expected to be flexible in their approach to negotiating a sale, but rigid in
maintaining quality.
Goods may be offered for resale at a profit to the organizational purchaser. Or an
organization may buy raw materials that are aimed at producing other goods which
will later be offered for sale to other consumers.
23. Impulse Buyers
Impulse buyers are consumers who make unplanned buying decisions.
Impulse buyers make swift buying decisions and immediately purchase when they
'connect' with the product and its features. There is often some kind of emotional
appeal.
Products impulse consumers purchase are not initially in their plans, so product
placement is very important. Manufacturers who target impulse buyers need their
goods to be featured prominently in a store.
For example:
Chocolates near the check-out counter
Cookies at eye level on the shelf
Bright, eye-catching novelty items where children can spot them.
Service providers can also target impulse buyers, often by offering significant
discounts or immediate service.
24. Need Based Consumers
Need based consumers are those types of consumers who buy goods and services when
they need them and not any other time. Many of the products in a hardware store, for
instance, are sold to need based consumers.
A need for a certain product will necessitate buying it because it is needed immediately
for a certain purpose. The challenge for marketers is to create a sense of 'need' to
promote the sale of products and services.
Examples:
Paint when a wooden house needs to be protected from the weather
Light bulbs when we need to see at night
Heaters or air-conditioning if we need to be comfortable in our homes.
Life insurance sales increase if we are convinced we need to be sure our families are
taken care of if we die.
25. Discount Driven Consumers
Discount driven consumers are the type of consumers who purchase goods and
services primarily for the discounts on offer. They may not engage in any buying
activity until they hear or see large discounts being offered on products they like.
Discount driven buyers are price sensitive and would rather wait to purchase
products when they come with discounts as opposed to when they are sold for full
price.
Coupons and stock-take sales are popular with this type of consumer.
An increasing number of manufacturers, retailers and service providers offer
discounts during recession or harsh economic climates.
26. Habitual Consumer
Habitual consumers are those who feel compelled to use certain brands or types of
goods.
Marketers work hard to create brand loyalty among this type of consumer. It may
be as simple as always choosing the same brand of deodorant, the same brand of
soda, or shopping in the same store for groceries or clothes.
Cigarettes and alcohol are classic examples of products that target habitual
consumers. A beer drinker can be expected to always buy the same type of beer,
and smokers have been known to leave a store and go to a different sales outlet if
their brand of cigarette is not available.
Advertising often encourages a persona associated with a specific product to
appeal to habitual consumers.
28. Complex Buying Behavior
Complex buying behavior is exhibited by the consumers, when the involvement
level in a purchasing is high and also there are different brands available in the
market that represent different values. In such cases the product searched for
buying is relatively expensive and risky. The product also covers the aspect of self
expression and the frequency of purchase is also occasionally.
For example, if a consumer wants to purchase a personal computer, then he cannot
get the clear idea of computer through his RAM, Processor etc. Instead, he first
tries to make his beliefs about the categories of different brands of computers.
After which he develops his attitudes and finally purchase a certain personal
computer on the basis of his learning process.
29. Dissonance Reducing Buying Behavior
Dissonance Reducing Buying Behavior represents such case in which the
involvement of the consumers is high, but the available brands show less
differences. The purchase of the product is relatively quicker in this kind.
For example, customers who want to purchase the newly arrived LED TVs will
not find many differences between the brands but the price of the product and its
technicality will make them involve more.
30. Habitual Buying Behavior
Habitual Buying Behavior is one of the types of Consumer Buying Behavior in
which the involvement of consumers in the purchase is low along with the few
differences among the alternative brands. In this case the products offered are
cheap and purchased frequently.
For example, if a consumer purchases sugar from the market, he exhibits habitual
behavior in such a way that he does not inquires different brands and prices of
sugar. Instead, he buys it simply from the first shop without making any extra
efforts.
31. Variety-Seeking Buying Behavior
The fourth type of Consumer Buying Behavior is variety-seeking buying behavior
in which the involvement of consumer is low, but the brands exhibit much
perceived difference. In such situations, consumers are switched more from one
product to another.
For example, a consumer wants to buy a cookie, so he does not try to learn
different brand and specifications of cookies, rather, he simply buys a certain
brand of cookie and make use of it to make an evaluation, and the next time he
may buy another brand of cookie. This switching of consumer from one brand to
another is not based on the dissatisfaction, but on the base of testing the variety.
32. Application of Consumer Behavior knowledge in
Marketing
1) Analyzing market opportunity
Consumer behavior study helps in identifying the unfulfilled needs and wants of
consumers.
This requires examining the trends and conditions operating in the marketplace,
consumers' lifestyles, income levels and emerging influences.
This may reveal unsatisfied needs and wants. the trend towards increasing number
of dual income households and greater emphasis on convenience and leisure have
led to emerging needs for household gadgets such as washing machine, mixer
grinder, vacuum cleaner and childcare centres etc.
Mosquito repellents have been marketed in response to a genuine and unfulfilled
consumer need.
33. 2)Selecting target market
A review of market opportunities often helps in identifying distinct consumer
segments with very distinct and unique wants and need.
Identifying these groups, learning how they behave and how they make purchase
decisions enables the marketer to design and market products or services
particularly suited to their wants and needs.
For example, consumer studies revealed that many existing and potential
shampoo users did not want to buy shampoo packs priced at Rs. 60 or more and
would rather prefer a low priced sachet containing enough quantity for one or
two washes. The finding led companies to introduce the shampoo sachet which
became a good seller.
34. 3) Marketing-mix decisions
Once unsatisfied needs and wants are identified, the marketer has to determine
the right mix of product, price, distribution and promotion.
Here too, consumer behavior study is very helpful in finding answers to many
perplexing questions.
35. 3a) Product
The marketer designs the product or service that would satisfy unfulfilled needs
or wants. Further decisions regarding the product concern to size, shape and
features.
The marketer has also to decide about packaging important aspects of service,
warranties and accessories etc.
Eg: Nestle first introduced Maggie noodles in masala and capsicum flavours.
Subsequently, keeping in view the consumer preferences in some regions, the
company introduced garlic, Shabhar and other flavours.
36. 3b) Price
The second important component of marketing mix is price.
Marketers must decide what price to charge for the product or service.
These decisions will influence the flow of revenue to the company.
the marketer must understand the way the company's product is perceived by
consumers, the importance of price as a purchase decision variable and how
different price levels would affect sales.
It is only through consumer behaviour study in actual buying situations that the
marketer can hope to find answers to these important issues.
37. 3c)Distribution
The next decision relates to the distribution channel, that is, where and how to
offer products and services for sale.
Should the products be sold through all the retail outlets or only through selected
ones? Should the marketer use only the existing outlets, which also sell
competing brands, or should new exclusive outlets selling only the marketer's
brands be created? Is the location of retail outlets important from consumers'
point of view? Should the company think of direct maketing?
The answer to these question are furnished by consumer behaviour research.
38. 3d) Promotion
The marketer has to decide which method would be most suitable to effectively
reach the consumers. Should it be advertising alone or should it be combined
with sales promotion? The company has to know the target consumers, their
location, what media do they have access to and what are their media
preferences, etc.
In most cases of industrial products there is very little or no advertising.
Brochures containing technical specifications are often posted to the clients and
the salespeople make follow-up visits.
Consumer products get the maximum share of advertising. Pharmaceutical
industry exclusively use personal selling for prescription drugs. Insurance
companies use both advertising and personal selling.
39. 4)Use in Social and Non-profits Marketing
Consumer behavior studies are useful to design marketing strategies by social,
governmental an not-for-profit organizations to make their programmes such as
family planning, awareness about AIDS, crime against women, safe
driving, environmental concerns and other more effective.
UNICEF (greeting cards), Red Cross and CRY etc. make use of consumer
behavior understanding to sell their services and products and also try to
motivate people to support these institutions.
40. Consumer profiling
A consumer profile is a way of describing a consumer categorically so that they
can be grouped for marketing and advertising purposes.
By target advertising to a specific market segment, companies and marketers can
find more success in selling a particular product and increase profits.
As a short-hand way of talking about consumers, market segments are often
represented by consumer profiles.
41. The six elements of a customer profile
Start with your data. Consolidate and add KPIs such as revenue per customer, email
responsiveness, product mix and purchase channel. Remove duplications and create Single
Customer Views.
Enhance and enrich first party data using third party data. This is an optional step but it is
advisable that you ensure your data is sufficient, thorough and strong enough before proceeding
to the next step.
Segment your customer groups so you can target your best customers or the customers you feel
represent the greatest opportunity.
Create a rich picture of these customers on and offline (and your competitors’ customers) so you
can target them and ensure your campaign messaging, channels, locations and times of day, are
relevant.
Deploy your targeted cross-channel campaigns to the selected customer segments.
Measure the effectiveness of your campaigns over time by each customer group. Keep track of
changes in your competitors’ customers, spatial trends concerning where your best customers are
and where they interact with you
42. Review Questions
Is it important to consider the behavior of consumers while deciding on the
marketing mix of the company ? Why? Explain with suitable examples
It is said that each consumer is unique, and any study that concentrates on the
“average consumer” is meaningless. Discuss its implication.
Why is it so important to conduct a consumer research before the launch of any
campaign?
“It has become important for marketers to understand the psyche of the consumer
”. Comment.
43. Caselet on consumer decision making process
NEW BALANCE, OUT OF STEP1.
Explain the consumer decision-making process when purchasing a new pair
of sneakers.
- Consumers decision process is comprised of 5 steps:-
Determining a need for a produce- a need for a new pair of runningsneakers
- Search for information- using the internet or reading reviews in Runner’s
World Magazine
- Evaluation of alternatives- should I purchase the New Balance 875 or theNike’s
and others
- Making the choice- going to a store or purchase online
- Post choice evaluation- Did I make the right decision to purchase NewBalance
over Nike
44. Review questions
What type of decision-making approach do most consumers use when
deciding between smartphone, tablet, laptops, or Pcs.?
Answer:
- Most consumers will engage in extended decision making- Smartphones, tablets,
laptops, and PCs represent significant purchases for most consumers and they are
usually fairly expensive.- Involvement will like be high for most consumers-Purchase
price and the frequency of use of the product
What factors influence the amount of search that most consumers will exert when
buying a smartphone or a tablet?
Answer:
- It is likely that moderated experienced consumers will search the most forsmart
phone or tablet information- experts will know exactly what theywant, while novices
will likely not be able to understand all the productdifferences- Other factors affecting
search: Involvement with the purchase, perceivedrisk, and the value of the search
effort, personal factor, time availabilityand situational influencers
45. Unit 2
Consumer Needs &Motivation (Theories - Maslow, Mc Cleland).
Personality – Concept, Nature of personality, Freudian, non - Freudian and Trait
theories, Personality Traits and it’s Marketing significance, Product personality
and brand personification.
Self Concept – Concept
Consumer Perception
Learning - Theory, Nature of Consumer Attitudes, Consumer Attitude
Formation &Change,Attitude - Concept of attitude
46. Consumer Motivation
Motivation can be described as the driving force within individual that impels
them to action.
This driving force is produced by a state of tension,which exists as the result of an
unfilled need.
Individuals strive both consciously and subconsciously to race this tension through
the behavior that they anticipate will fulfill their needs and thus relieve them of the
stress they feel.
48. Needs
Innate
These are physiological needs.
They include the need for
food,water,air,shelter,sex.
As these needs are needed to sustain
biological life, These needs are
considered primary needs or motives.
Example: all individuals need shelter
from the elements, thus finding a place to
live fulfils an important primary need
Acquired
Acquired needs are needs that we learn in
response to our culture or environment.
These may include needs for
esteem,prestige,affection,power,learning.
As these needs are generally
psychological, They are considered
secondary needs or motives.
Example: The kind of house she buys
may be the result of secondary need.
49. Goals
The sought-after results of motivated behavior
Generic goals are general categories of goals that consumers see as a way to fulfill
their needs.
Product-specific goals are specifically branded products or services that
consumers select as their goals.
Example: Thomas j.Lipton company wants consumers to view iced tea as a good
way to quench thirst. However ,it is even more interested in having consumers
view Lipton’s ice tea as the best way to quench thirst
50. Motivations and Goals
Positive motivation: Positive motivation induces people to do work in the best
possible manner and to improve their performance. Under this better facilities and
rewards are provided for their better performance. Such rewards and facilities may be
financial and non-financial.
Negative motivation It is based on the concept that if a worker fails in achieving the
desired results, he should be punished. Negative motivation involves undertaking
tasks because there will be undesirable outcomes, eg. failing a subject, if tasks are not
completed.
Both positive and negative motivation aim at inspiring the will of the people to work
but they differ in their approaches. Whereas one approaches the people to work in the
best possible manner providing better monetary and non-monetary incentives, the
other tries to induce the man by cutting their wages and other facilities and amenities
on the belie
51. Rational versus Emotional motives
Rationality implies that consumers select goals based on totally objective criteria
such as size, weight, price, or miles per gallon
Emotional motives imply the selection of goals according to personal or subjective
criteria
52. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Self-actualization
(self-fulfilment)
Ego needs
(success,prestige,self-respect)
Social needs (friendship,affection,belonging)
Safety and security needs(protection,order,stability,certainity)
Physiological needs (air,water,food,clothing)
53. Personality and consumer behavior
The inner psychological characteristics that determine and reflect how a person
responds to his or her environment.
Personality is a useful concept because it permit us to categorize consumers into
different groups on the basis of one or even several traits/Qualities.
54. Introduction
Marketers have long tried to appeal to consumers in terms of their
personality characteristics. They have intuitively felt that consumers purchase,
and when and how they consume, are likely to be influenced by personality
factors.
For this reason marketing and advertising people have frequently depicted
specific personality traits or characteristics in their making and advertising
messages.
55. Theories of personality
Freudian theory
Unconscious needs or drives are at the heart of human motivation
Neo-Freudian personality theory
Social relationships are essential to the formation and development of
personality
Trait theory
Quantitative approach to personality as a set of psychological traits
56. Freudian theory
This theory was built on the basis of unconscious needs or force, especially for sexual and other
natural drives, are at the heart of human motivation and personality
. Freud constructed his theory on the basis of patients recollections of early childhood
experiences, analysis of their dreams, and the specific nature of their mental and physical
adjustment problems.
Human personality consists of three interacting systems the id, the superego, and the ego.
Id:Warehouse of ancient needs for which individual seeks immediate satisfaction(thirst, hunger
etc)
Superego:The superego role is to see that the individual satisfies needs in a socially
acceptable fashion or not.
Ego:It is Individual’s conscious control that balances the unstructured demands of the id and
the sociocultural control of the superego
57.
58. Neo-Freudian personality theory
This theory believed that social relationships are basic to the formation and
development of personality. Human beings as wants to achieve various rational
goals, which he called style of life. He also place much emphasis on the
individuals efforts to overcome feelings of inferiority.
According to “KAREN HORNEY proposed that individuals be classified into
three personality groups:
1. Complaint individuals are those who move toward others(they desire to be
loved, wanted and appreciated)
2. Aggressive individuals are those who move against others (they desire to do
extremely well and win high regard)
3. Detached individuals are those who move away from others (they desire
independence, self- sufficiency, and individualism or freedom from responsibility
59. Trait theory
Personality theory with a focus on psychological characteristics.
Trait- any distinguishing, relatively enduring way in which one individual differs
from another.
Personality is to linked to how consumers make their choices or to consumption of
a broad product category-not a specific brand
61. Consumer Innovativeness: to what extent a person is receptive to a new buying
experience.
Consumer Materialism : to ascertain the extend to which consumers are attached
to worldly material possessions
Consumer Ethnocentrism : The likelihood of consumer accepting or rejecting
foreign made products
Trait theory and personality traits
62. Consumer materialism
Consumer materialism is a personality trait that distinguishes between individuals
who consider possessions as important for their identities.
Individuals who are high on materialism believe is showing –off worldly
possessions like car,bungalow,jewellary which are important for their identities
and lives
Individual who are low on materialism feel that worldly possessions like
expensive cars,jewellary are secondary in lives
63. Consumer Ethnocentrism
Consumer response towards foreign goods
Consumer who are highly ethnocentric are likely to feel that it is inappropriate or
wrong to purchase foreign-made products because of the resulting economic
impact on the domestic economy, whereas
Nonethnocentric consumers tend to evaluate foreign-made products- it seems that
more objectively-for their extrinsic characteristics (e.g. how good are they?)
64. Brand Personality
Brand personality is as if “making the brand alive”
The attribution of human personality traits (seriousness, warmth, imagination, etc.)
to a brand as a way to achieve differentiation.
Usually done through long-term advertising and appropriate packaging and
graphics.
These traits inform brand behavior through both prepared
communication/packaging , etc.
and through the people who represent the brand- its employees.
The way in which it speaks of its products or services shows what kind of person
it would be if it were human.
A brand without a personality has trouble gaining awareness and developing a
relationship with customer.
66. Brand Personification
Brand personification is done when consumers attribute character similar to
human beings to a brand.
Brand personification helps in differentiating brands,mainly when all brands are
offering same types of products.
A brand personality offers an emotional identity to a brand.it produces sentiments
and feelings towards the brand among consumers who are most likely to purchase
a brand if it is similar to their personality.
Examples:
Middle class association of the brand Bajaj
Levis represents sensuality, being cool and rebellion
67. Self -Concept
A self-images, or perceptions of self, are very closely associated with personality
in that individuals tend to buy products and services and support retailers whose
images or personalities relate in some meaningful way to their own self-images.
In real meaning, consumers seek to represent themselves in their brand choices-
they have a tendency to approach products with images that could enhance their
self concept and avoid those products that do not.
68. One or multiple selves
A single consumer will act differently in different situations or with different
people
We have a variety of social roles
Marketers can target products to a particular “self”
Actual
self
image
Social self
image
Expected self
image
Ideal self
image
Ideal
social self
image
How consumers
see themselves
How consumers
feel others see
them
How consumers
expect to see
themselves in
future
How consumers
would like to see
themselves
How consumers
would like others
to see them
69. Review Questions
You are the advertising manager for a sports footwear company.develop three
different theme based on three different levels of in the need hierarchy for the AD
campaign
Mention three examples of how personality traits can influence consumer behavior
Is there a relation between personality and behavior? Give suitable examples.
What are the implications for the marketers in creating a personality for their
brands?
70. Consumer Perception
According to Philip Kotler,” Perception is a process by which we select,organize
and interpret information inputs to create a meaningful picture of the world”
Customer perception is typically affected by advertising, reviews, public relations,
social media, personal experiences and other channels.
73. Sensation
The immediate and direct response of the sensory organs
to stimuli. A stimulus is any unit of input to any of the
senses.
Excitement , agitation, commotion, dry Ginger,,,
Product, packages, Brand
name, Advertisement and
Commercials…
Sensory Receptors
74. example: a person living near a busy railway station would probably receive no
sensation froma car or train horns or other traffic noises.Increase or decrease of
one or two honking horns would never be noticed.
When the quantum of sensory inputs is high, The senses fail to detect small
differences in sensory inputs.
75. Absolute Threshold
The absolute threshold is the lowest level at which an individual can experience a
sensation.
Point at which a person can detect a difference between “Something” and
“Nothing” is the person’s absolute threshold for the stimulus
Ex. Driver of car see the billboard on the road different from the back seated person..
76. Differential Threshold
Minimal difference that can be detected between two similar stimuli
Also known as the just noticeable difference( the j.n.d.)
77. German Scientist Ernst Weber
He discovered that the j.n.d. between
two stimuli was not an absolute
amount, but an amount relative to the
intensity of the first stimuli.
Weber’s law states that the stronger
the initial stimulus, the greater the
additional intensity needed for the
second stimulus to be perceived as
different.
78. Example: if a producer raises the price of its car by four hundred rupees,probably
it would not be noticed because the increase would fall below J.N.D. The
difference in price may become noticeable if the increase were to be on thousand
rupees or more.
To be noticed,an additional level of stimulus equivalent to J.N.D. must be added
to make the differenceperceptible.
Likewise, if thereduction in price of the same car is rs,400, it is again unlikely to
be noticed below the level of J.N.D
79. Subliminal Perception
Stimuli that are too weak or too brief to be consciously seen or heard may be strong
enough to be perceived by one or more receptor cells.
This process is called subliminal perception because the stimulus is down the
threshold.
80. Dynamics of Perception
Human Beings stimuli change during every minute and every hour of every day..
Physical stimuli from outside Environment..
Other inputs are provided by individual themselves
( Based on previous experience )
81. Learning
According to Schiffman, Learning means,” the process by which individuals
acquire the purchase and consumption knowledge and experience that they apply
to future related behavior”.
82.
83. Classical conditioning is a type of
learning that had a major influence on
the school of thought in psychology
known as behaviorism.
Discovered by Russian
physiologist Ivan Pavlov, classical
conditioning is a learning process that
occurs through associations between an
environmental stimulus and a naturally
occurring stimulus.
Behaviorism is based on the assumption
that:
• All learning occurs through
interactions with the environment
• The environment shapes behavior
84. Review Questions
Explain Just Noticeable Difference in brief. Discuss three marketing situations
where it can be usefully used.
Mention two examples of classical conditioning in advertising.
Everyday we look at so many things,we remember some,we ignore some and do
not even notice some. Why does this occur? Explain with examples.
85. Attitude
Attitude is the persistence tendency to feel and behave in a favourable or
unfavorable way towards some object, person or ideas.
86. Functions of Attitude
Utilitarian function –We hold brand attitudes partly because of a brand utility. If the
product has been useful in the past, our attitude towards it is likely to be favorable
Ego Defensive Function − Attitudes are formed to protect the ego. We all are bothered
about our self-esteem and image so the product boosting our ego is the target of such a
kind of attitude.eg; personal care products like deodrants,cosmetics etc.
Value Expression Function − Attitudes usually represent the values the individual
posses. We gain values, though our upbringing and training. Our value system
encourages or discourages us to buy certain products. For example, our value system
allows or disallows us to purchase products such as cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, etc.
Knowledge Function − Individuals’ continuously seeks knowledge and information.
When an individual gets information about a particular product, he creates and
modifies his attitude towards that product.
87. Attitude Models
Tri-component Model − According to tri-component model, attitude consists of the
following three components.
Cognitive Component − The first component is cognitive component. It consists of an
individual’s knowledge or perception towards few products or services through
personal experience or related information from various sources. This knowledge,
usually results in beliefs, which a consumer has, and specific behavior.
Affective Component − The second part is the affective component. This consists of a
person’s feelings, sentiments, and emotions for a particular brand or product. They
treat them as the primary criteria for the purpose of evaluation. The state of mind also
plays a major role, like the sadness, happiness, anger, or stress, which also affects the
attitude of a consumer.
Conative Component − The last component is conative component, which consists of
a person’s intention or likelihood towards a particular product. It usually means the
actual behavior of the person or his intention.
88. Strategies for Attitude Change
Changing the Basic Motivational Function
Associating the Product With an Admired Group or Event
Resolving Two Conflicting Attitudes
Altering Components of the Multiattribute Model
Changing Beliefs About Competitors’ Brands
89. Changing the Basic Motivational Function
Utilitarian function
Ego-defensive function
Value expressive function
Knowledge function
90. Associating the product with a special group,
event or cause
Attitudes are related, at least in part to certain groups, social events, or causes.
It is possible to alter attitudes toward companies and their products by pointing out
their relationships to particular groups, events.
For example: Aircel has partnered with world wildlife fund India to create “save
our tigers” initiative.