Syllabus Class: - B.B.A. VI Semester
Syllabus Class: - B.B.A. VI Semester
Syllabus Class: - B.B.A. VI Semester
SYLLABUS
Class: - B.B.A. VI Semester
Unit-V Attitude and consumer behaviour:- Meaning of attitude, nature and characteristics
of attitude, types of attitude, learning of attitude, sources of influence on attitude
formation, Model of attitude- Tricomponent attitude model, multiattribute attitude
model, Consumer decision making process:- Introduction, levels of consumer
decision ,consumer information processing model ,Hierarchy of effects model.
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B.B.A. VI Semester Subject: Consumer Behaviour
Unit 1
INTRODUCTION AND CONCEPT
"Consumer behaviour can be defined as the decision-making process and physical activity involved in
acquiring, evaluating, using and disposing of goods and services."
This definition clearly brings out that it is not just the buying of goods/services that receives attention in
consumer behaviour but, the process starts much before the goods have been acquired or bought. A process
of buying starts in the minds of the consumer, which leads to the finding of alternatives between products that
can be acquired with their relative advantages and disadvantages. This leads to internal and external
research. Then follows a process of decision-making for purchase and using the goods, and then the post
purchase behaviour which is also very important, because it gives a clue to the marketers whether his
product has been a success or not.
To understand the likes and dislikes of the consumer, extensive consumer research studies are being
conducted. These researches try to find out:
What the consumer thinks of the company's products and those of its competitors?
Flow can the product be improved in their opinion?
How the customers use the product?
What is the customer's attitude towards the product and its advertising?
What is the role of the customer in his family?
3. Marketing Strategy
a. Product d. Communication
b. Price e. Service
c. Distribution
4. Consumer Decision Process
a. Problem recognition d. Purchase
b. Information search—internal. external e. Use
c. Alternative evaluation f. Evaluation
5. Outcomes
a. Customer satisfaction c. Product/Brand image
b. Sales
MARKET ANALYSIS
Market analysis requires an understanding of the 4-Cs which are consumer, conditions, competitor and the
company. A study is undertaken to provide superior customer value, which is the main objective of the
company. For providing better customer value we should learn the needs of the consumer, the offering of the
company, vis-a-vis its competitors and the environment which is economic, physical, technological, etc.
A consumer is anyone who engages himself in physical activities, of evaluating, acquiring, using or disposing
of goods and services. A customer is out who actually purchases a product or service from a particular
organization or a shop. A customer is always defined in terms of a specific product or company. However, the
term consumer 1st broader term which emphasizes not only the actual buyer or customer, but also its users
i.e. consumers. Sometimes a product is purchased by the head of the family and used by the whole family, i.e.
a refrigerator or a car. There are some consumer behaviour roles which are played by different members of
the family.
Role Description
Initiator The person who determines that some need or want is to be met (e.g. a daughter indicating
the need for a colour TV).
Influence The person or persons who intentionally or unintentionally influence the decision to buy or
endorse the view of the initiator
Buyer The person who actually makes a purchase.
User The person or persons who actually use or consume the product.
The Consumer
To understand the consumer: researches are made. Sometimes motivational research becomes handy to bring
out hidden attitudes, uncover emotions and feelings. Many firms send questionnaires to customers to ask
about their satisfaction, future needs and ideas for a new product. On the basis of the answers received
changes in the marketing mix is made and advertising is also streamlined.
after getting this information reacts accordingly and changes its marketing mix and the offering is made in a
manner which can out do the competitor. 'This is a very difficult process and it is easier said than done. To
have correct information about the competitors and to anticipate their further moves is the job of the
researcher.
The Conditions
The auditions under which the firms are operating have also to be seriously considered. The factors to be
studied are the economy, the physical environment, the government regulations, the technological
developments, etc. 'These effect the consumer needs, i.e. the deterioration of the environment and its pollution
may lead to the use and innovation of safer products. People are health conscious and are concerned with
their safety. Hence, in this case, safer products have a better chance with the consumer. In case of recession
the flow of money is restricted greatly. This leads to the formulation of different marketing strategies.
Market Segmentation
The market divided into segments which are a portion of a larger market whose needs are similar and, they
are homogenous in themselves. Such segments are identified with similar needs.
Need Set
By need set, it is meant that there are products which satisfy more than one need. An automobile can fill the
transportation needs, Status need, fun needs or time saving needs. So the company tries to identify the need
sets which its product can fulfill. Then we try to identify the groups who have similar needs. i.e., some people
need economical cars, others may go or luxury cars.
Demographic mid Psychographic Characteristics
These groups are identified and they are described in terms of their demographic and Psychographic
characteristics. The company finds out how and when the product is purchased and consumed.
Target Segment
After all the above preliminary work is done, the target customer group known as the target segment is
chosen, keeping in mind how the company can provide superior customer value at a profit. The segment
which can best be served with the company's capabilities at a profit is chosen. It has to be kept in mind that
different target segments require different it marketing strategies and, with the change in the environmental
conditions the market mix has to be adjusted accordingly.
Consumer Decision Process
The decision-making process consists of a series of steps which the consumer undergoes. First of all, the
decision is made to solve a problem of any kind. This may be the problem of creating a cool atmosphere in
your home. For this, information search is carried out, too find how the cool atmosphere can be provided, e.g.
by an air-conditioner or, by a water-cooler. This leads to the evaluation of alternatives and a cost benefit-
analysis is made to decide which product and brand image will be suitable, and can take care of the problem
suitably and adequately. Thereafter the purchase is made and the product is used by the consumer. The
constant use of the product leads to the satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the consumer, which leads to repeat
purchases, or to the rejection of die product.
The marketing, strategy is successful if consumers can see a need which a company's product can solve and,
offers the best solution to the problem. For a successful strategy the marketer must lay emphasis on the
product/brand image in the consumer’s mind. Position the product according to the customers, likes and
dislikes. The brand which matches the desired image of a target market sells well. Sales are important and
sales are likely to occur if the initial consumer analysis was correct and matches the consumer decision
process. Satisfaction of the consumer, after the sales have been affected, is important for repeat purchase. It is
more profitable to retain existing customers, rather than looking for new ones. The figure below gives an idea
of the above discussion
Problem Recognition
Information Search
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Evaluation and selection
B.B.A. VI Semester Subject: Consumer Behaviour
UNIT-II
WHAT IS CULTURE?
1. Given the broad and pervasive nature of culture, its study generally requires a detailed examination of the
character of the total society, including such factors as language, knowledge, laws, religions, food customs,
music, art, technology, work patterns, products, and other artifacts that give a society its distinctive flavor.
2. In a sense, culture is a society’s personality. For this reason, it is not easy to define its boundaries.
3. Culture is the sum total of learned beliefs, values, and customs that serve to direct the consumer behavior
of members of a particular society.
4. Beliefs consist of the very large number of mental or verbal statements that reflect a person’s particular
knowledge and assessment of something.
5. Values also are beliefs, however, values differ from other beliefs because they must meet the following
criteria:
a) They are relatively few in number.
b) They serve as a guide for culturally appropriate behavior.
c) They are enduring or difficult to change.
d) They are not tied to specific objects or situations.
e) They are widely accepted by the members of a society.
6. In a broad sense, both values and beliefs are mental images that affect a wide range of specific attitudes
that, in turn, influence the way a person is likely to respond in a specific situation.
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B.B.A. VI Semester Subject: Consumer Behaviour
3. In a cultural context, when a product is no longer acceptable because it’s related value or custom does not
adequately satisfy human needs, it must be modified.
4. Culture gradually evolves to meet the needs of society.
CULTURE IS LEARNED
1. At an early age we begin to acquire from our social environment a set of beliefs, values, and customs that
make up our culture.
2. For children, the learning of these acceptable cultural values and customs is reinforced by the process of
playing with their toys.
a) As children play, they act out and rehearse important cultural lessons and situations.
Cross-cultural marketing is defined as “the effort to determine to what extent the consumers of two or more
nations are similar or
different. This will facilitate marketers to understand the psychological, social and cultural aspects of foreign
consumers they wish to target, so
as to design effective marketing strategies for each of the specific national markets involved.”
appropriate strategies
Devise individualized marketing strategy if cultural beliefs, values and customs of a specific country
are different
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B.B.A. VI Semester Subject: Consumer Behaviour
pleasure, or it may include specific needs such as eating and resting, or a desired object, hobby, goal, state of
being, ideal, or it may be attributed to less-apparent reasons such as altruism, morality, or avoiding mortality.
Needs :Needs are the essence of the marketing concept. Marketers do not create needs but can make
consumers aware of needs. A need is something that is necessary for humans to live a healthy life. Needs are
distinguished from wants because a deficiency would cause a clear negative outcome, such as dysfunction or
death. Needs can be objective and physical, such as food and water, or they can be subjective and
psychological, such as the need for self-esteem. On a societal level, needs are sometimes controversial, such as
the need for a nationalized health care system. Understanding needs and wants is an issue in the fields of
politics, social science, and philosophy.
Types of Needs
Innate Needs: Physiological (or biogenic) needs that are considered primary needs or motives
Acquired Needs: Learned in response to our culture or environment. Are generally psychological and
considered secondary needs
Goals :A goal or objective is a projected state of affairs that a person or a system plans or intends to achieve—
a personal or organizational desired end-point in some sort of assumed development. It is the sought-after
results of motivated behavior.
Types of goals:
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
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B.B.A. VI Semester Subject: Consumer Behaviour
In the initiation a person starts feeling lacknesses. There is an arousal of need so urgent, that the bearer has
to venture in search to satisfy it. This leads to creation of tension, which urges the person to forget everything
else and cater to the aroused need first. This tension also creates drives and attitudes regarding the type of
satisfaction that is desired. This leads a person to venture into the search of information. This ultimately leads
to evaluation of alternatives where the best alternative is chosen. After choosing the alternative, an action is
taken. Because of the performance of the activity satisfaction is achieved which than relieves the tension in
the individual.
Arousal of Motives:
The arousal of any particular set of needs at a specific moment in time may be caused by internal stimuli
found in the individual’s physiological condition,by emotional or cognitive processes or by stimuli in outside
environment.
Physiological arousal
Emotional arousal
Cognitive arousal
Environmental arousal
1. Physiological Arousal Bodily needs at any one specific moment in time are based on the individual
physiological condition at the moment. Ex..A drop in blood sugar level or stomach contractions will
trigger awareness of a hunger need. Ex..A decrease in body temperature will induce shivering, which
makes individual aware of the need for warmth this type of thing, they arouse related needs that
cause uncomfortable tensions until they are satisfied. Ex..Medicine, low fat and diet
2. Emotional Arousal Sometime daydreaming results in the arousal (autistic thinking) or stimulation of
latent needs. People who are board or who are frustrated in trying to achieve their goals or often
engage in daydreaming, in which they imagine themselves in all sorts of desirable situations. Ex..A
young woman who may spend her free time in internet single chat room.
3. Cognitive arousal Sometime random thoughts can lead to a cognitive awareness of needs. An
advertisement that provides reminders of home might trigger instant yearning to speak with ones
parents.
4. Environment arousal The set of needs an individual experiences at particular time are often
activated by specific cues in the environment. Without these cues the needs might remain dormant.
ex. The 8’o clock news, the sight or smell of bakery goods, fast food commercials on television, all
these may arouse the need for food Ex..New cell phone model display in the store window.
Philosophies Concerned with Arousal of Motives
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B.B.A. VI Semester Subject: Consumer Behaviour
Behaviorist School
o Behavior is response to stimulus
o Elements of conscious thoughts are to be ignored
o Consumer does not act, but reacts
Cognitive School
o Behavior is directed at goal achievement
o Needs and past experiences are reasoned, categorized, and transformed into attitudes and beliefs
One of the most widely mentioned theories of motivation is the hierarchy of needs theory put forth by
psychologist Abraham Maslow. Maslow saw human needs in the form of a hierarchy, ascending from the
lowest to the highest, and he concluded that when one set of needs is satisfied, this kind of need ceases to be a
motivator.
As each of these needs are substantially satisfied, the next need becomes dominant. From the standpoint of
motivation, the theory would say that although no need is ever fully gratified, a substantially satisfied need no
longer motivates. So if you want to motivate someone, you need to understand what level of the hierarchy that
person is on and focus on satisfying those needs or needs above that level.
Maslow’s need theory has received wide recognition, particularly among practicing managers. This can be
attributed to the theory’s intuitive logic and ease of understanding. However, research does not validate these
theory. Maslow provided no empirical evidence and other several studies that sought to validate the theory
found no support for it.
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B.B.A. VI Semester Subject: Consumer Behaviour
Approach-Approach Motivational Conflict A consumer who must choose between two attractive al
ternatives faces approach-approach conflict. The more equal this attraction, the greater the conflict. A con
sumer who recently received a large cash gift for graduation (situational variable) might be ton) between a
trip to Hawaii (perhaps powered by a need for stimulation) and a new mountain bike (perhaps driven by the
need for assertion). This conflict could be resolved by a timely advertisement designed lo encourage one or
the other action. Or a price modification, such as "buy now, pay later." could result in a resolution whereby
both alternatives are selected.
Approach-Avoidance Motivational Conflict A consumer facing a purchase choice with both positive and
negative consequences confronts approach-avoidance conflict. A person who is concerned about gain ing
weight yet likes snack foods faces this type of problem. He or she may want the taste and emotional
satisfaction associated with the snacks (approach) but does not want to gain weight (avoidance). The
development of lower-caloric snack foods reduces this conflict and allows the weight-sensitive consumer to
enjoy snacks and also control calorie intake.
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B.B.A. VI Semester Subject: Consumer Behaviour
emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance for cars, such as oil tiller changes, also use this type of
motive conflict: "Pay me now. or pay me (more) later."
Frustration:
Failure to achieve a goal often result in feeling of frustration (inability to attain goal-frustration comes) --
Limited physical or Financial resources. --Obstacle in the physical or social environment such frustration
people are likely to adopt a defense mechanism to protect their egos from feelings of inadequacy.
Defense Mechanism: Methods by which people mentally redefine frustrating situations to protect their self-
images and their self-esteem
1. Aggression (attracting) may react with anger towards his/her boss for not getting enough money for
one trip so frustrated consumers have boycotted manufacturers in an effort to improve product
quality and have boycotted retailers in an effort to have price lowered.
2. Rationalization (Convince themselves)They may decide that goal is not really worth (reasoning for
being unable to attain their goals)
3. Regression—People react to frustrating situations with childish or immature behavior
4. Withdrawal—withdrawing from the situation. Ex..Person who has difficulty achieving officer status in
an organisation may simply quit the organisation or he may decide he can use his time more
constructively in other activities.
5. Projection—An individual may projecting blame for his/her own failure and inabilities on other
objects or persons. Ex..the driver who has an automobile accident may blame the other driver or the
condition of the road Ex..cricket player blame the ground / climate.
6. Autism or Autism thinking Day dream that enables the Individual to attain unfulfilled needs (
dreaming / thinking emotionally / romantically).
7. Identification Sometime people feel frustration by subconsciously identifying with other persons or
situation that they consider relevant.Ex.. Mouth wash, shampoo, soap..to attract opposite sex
8. Repression– Another way that individuals avoid the tension arising from frustration is by repressing
the unsatisfied need Ex..A couple who cannot have children may surround themselves with plants or
pets .
needs to design his marketing mix in a manner that he can activate the involvement process to his favor, and
marketing communication has a key role to play. A few models have been proposed that are based on
consumer involvement; these are discussed below.
The Low-Involvement Learning Model: Marketing communication through audio visual media, i.e. TV and
radio follows this principle. Through the advertisement, the marketer educates the consumers about his
product offering and the brand; this may be a new product or a modified version of an existing product; he
tries to create awareness and form beliefs about the brand.
The Learn-Feel-Do Hierarchy Model :With implications for marketing communication, the learn-feel-do-
hierarchy model, was proposed by Vaughn and his colleagues in the 1980’s at Foote, Cone and Belding; thus, it
also acme to be known as the FCB Matrix,. According to the model, some purchases are backed by a lot of
cognition and thinking, while others are based on feelings and emotions. The combination of these reference
points produces a strategy matrix. The marketer has to choose appropriate strategies for different kinds of
product/service offerings. He needs to analyze the nature of his product, and design his promotion strategy
accordingly; the advertising medium should relate to the product category.
The Level of Message Processing Model :The level of involvement has an impact on the information
gathering and processing. Based on this premise, the level of message processing model states that a
consumer’s attention to advertising is influenced by varying levels of involvement, and runs across
preattention, focal attention, comprehension, and elaboration. Each of these levels is indicative of different
level of message processing, and is explained as follows:
a) Preattention: This level of involvement requires only a limited processing and, thus the desire is just to
gain some amount of familiarity;
b) Focal attention: A degree greater than the first stage, here the consumer concentrates on the message
source and context, and becomes receptive to basic information like product/brand name and usage.
c) Comprehension: At this level, the consumer focuses on the message content and tries to understand it in
terms of features, attributes, benefits, price, availability etc.
d) Elaboration: During this highest stage of involvement, the consumer integrates the message into his
memory, forms beliefs and either adds to or modifies the information that already exists in his memory.
The Product versus Brand Involvement Model :According to the model, consumers can be classified into
four types according to their involvement with the product/service category and with the brand. These
categories are as follows: Brand loyalists, Information seekers, Routine brand buyers and, Brand switchers.
The model could hold relevance when involvement is used as a segmentation criteria.
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B.B.A. VI Semester Subject: Consumer Behaviour
“Perception in marketing is described as a process by which a consumer identifies, organizes, and interprets
information to create meaning.”
Perception is the process of selecting, organizing and interpreting information inputs to produce
meaning.
This means we chose what info we pay attention to, organize it and interpret it. Information inputs are the
sensations received through sight, taste, hearing, smell and touch. Thus we can say that the above definition
of perception of perception lays emphasis on certain features:
Perception is a mental process, whereby an individual selects data or information from the
environment, organizes it and then draws significance or meaning from it.
Perception is basically a cognitive or thinking process and individual activities; emotions, feelings etc.
are based on his or her perceptions of their surroundings or environment.
Perception being an intellectual and cognitive process will be subjective in nature.
The key word in the definition of perception is individual. We can say that it is the process by which an
individual selects, organizes and interprets information received from the environment
Sensation–Attending to an object/event with one of five senses
Organization–Categorizing by matching sensed stimulus with similar object in memory, e.g. color
Interpretation–Attaching meaning to stimulus, making judgments as to value and liking, e.g. bitter
taste
One person might perceive a fast-talking salesperson as aggressive and insincere; another, as intelligent and
helpful.
People can emerge with different perceptions of the same object because of three perceptual processes:
selective attention, selective distortion and selective retention.
Selective Attention. People are exposed to a tremendous amount of daily stimuli: the average person
may be exposed to over 1500 ads a day. A person cannot possibly attend to all of these; most stimuli
will be screened out.
Selective attention means that marketers have to work hard to attract consumers’ notice. Select inputs
to be exposed to our awareness. More likely if it is linked to an event , satisfies current needs,
intensity of input changes (sharp price drop).
Selective Distortion. Even notice stimuli do not always come across in the way the senders intended.
Selective distortion is the tendency to twist information into personal meanings and interpret
information in a way that will fit our preconceptions. Unfortunately, there is not much that marketers
can do about selective distortion.
Selective retention. People will forget much that they learn but will tend to retain information that
supports their attitudes and beliefs. Because of selective retention, we are likely to remember good
points mentioned about competing products. Selective retention explains why marketers use drama
and repetition in sending messages to their target market. Remember inputs that support beliefs,
forgets those that don’t.
ELEMENTS OF PERCEPTION
Perception is a process of sensory organs. The mind gets the information through the five sense organs, i.e.,
eyes, nose, ears, tongue, and skin. The stimulation comes to the organs through action, written messages, oral
communication, taste, touch, etc. The perception starts with the awareness of these stimuli. Recognizing
these stimuli takes place only after paying attention to them. These messages are then translated into action.
Perception involves several elements (sub processes) which are listed below:
Stimuli: The receipt of information is the stimulus which results in sensation. Knowledge and behaviour
depend on senses and their stimulation. These senses are influenced by a larger number of stimuli. The
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B.B.A. VI Semester Subject: Consumer Behaviour
family, social and the economic environment are important stimuli for the people. The physiological and
psychological functions are impact of these stimuli. The intensive and extensive forms of stimuli have a
greater impact on the sensory organs. The physical work environment, socio-cultural environment and other
factors have certain stimuli to influence the employee's perception. In organizational settings, the supervisor
may form the stimulus situation for the worker's perceptual process.
Attention: The stimuli that are paid attention depend purely on the people's selection capacity and the
intensity of stimuli. Educated employees pay more attention to any stimuli, for example, announcement of
bonus, appeal for efficiency, training, and motivation. The management has to find out suitable stimuli, which
can appeal to the employees at the maximum level.
Recognition: The messages or incoming stimuli are recognized before they are transmitted into behaviour.
Perception is a two-phase activity, i.e., receiving stimuli and translating the stimuli into action. The
recognition process is dependent on mental acceptability. For example, if a car driver suddenly sees a child in
front of his running car, he stops the car. He recognizes the stimuli, i.e., the life of the child is in danger.
Translation: The management in an organization has to consider the various processes of translating the
message into action. The employees should be assisted to translate the stimuli into action. For example, the
announcement of bonus should be recognized as a stimulus for increasing production. The employee should
translate it into appropriate behavior. In other words, they should be motivated by the management to
increase productivity.
Behaviour: Behaviour is the outcome of the cognitive process. It is a response to change incensory inputs,
i.e., stimuli. Perceptual behaviour is not influenced be reality, but is a result of the perception process of the
individual, his learning and personality, environmental factors and other internal and external factors at the
workplace. The psychological feedback that may influence the perception of an employee may be superior
behavior, his eye movement, raising of an eyebrow, the tone of voice, etc.
Performance: Proper behavior learns to higher performance. High performers become a source of stimuli
and motivation to other employees. A performance-reward relationship is established to motivate people.
Satisfaction High performance gives more satisfaction. The level of satisfaction is calculated with the
difference in performance and expectation. If the performance is more than the expectation, people are
delighted, but when performance is equal to expectation, it results in satisfaction.
Group
A group may be defined as the aggregation of small number of persons who work for common goals, develop
a shared attitude and are aware that they are part of a group and perceive themselves as such. WE can also
say that the identifiable features of a group are:
1) Two or more persons: At least two people have to be present to form a group.
2) Collective identity: Each member of the group must believe that he is a member of the group and also
be aware of his participation in the group activity.
3) Interaction: The members of the group will interact with each other, share their ideas and
communicate with each other.
4) Shared goal interest: Members of the group will also concur to the attainment of objectives. Each
member of the group must at least share one of the group concerns.
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B.B.A. VI Semester Subject: Consumer Behaviour
Advantages of Groups
What do we gain if we form groups? There are a lot of advantages. Some of them are:
1. Greater sum total of knowledge and information
2. Greater number of approaches to the problem
3. Participation increases acceptance
4. Better comprehension of the problems and the solution
5. Group acts as a motivator
Disadvantages of Groups
But, there are disadvantages in a group also! Some disadvantages are:
1. Solution mindedness
2. Compromised results
3. Untimely decisions
4. Conflicts
5. Diffusion of responsibility
6. Free riding or social loafing
7. High coordination cost in time and money
8. Dominance
9. Pressures to conformity
Types of groups
Let us now identify the various types of groups that exist and operate in our daily life.
Primary versus secondary
- Depends on amount of interaction
· Membership versus symbolic
- Depends on whether group members recognize individual as member
- Formal versus informal
- Depends on degree of formality of conduct
Ascribed versus choice
- Depends on whether membership is automatic or by Choice
Reference groups - Primary reference groups come with a great deal of influence— e.g., members of a
fraternity/sorority. Secondary reference groups tend to have somewhat less influence—e.g., members of a
boating club that one encounter only during week-ends are likely to have their influence limited to
consumption during that time period.
Influence on Consumer Behavior - Social class can have a profound effect on consumer spending habits.
Perhaps the most obvious effect is the level of disposable income of each social class. Generally, the rich have
the ability to purchase more consumer goods than those with less income, and those goods are of
higher quality . There is also a distinction in the type of goods purchased. For example, the upper class tend to
be the primary buyers of fine jewelry and often shop at exclusive retailers. The lower class, in contrast, are
much more concerned with simply getting by; they focus more on necessities.
Social class segmentation involves two basic issues. First, opinions differ concerning which procedures are
best for identifying social classes. This issue is beyond the scope of our discussion. However, it should simply
be noted here that there are various approaches to social class measurement with each one offering certain
advantages and disadvantages. A second and lower fundamental problem is whether even to use social class
(which is, in effect a composite index consisting of several variables) in segmenting markets, or whether to
use a single proxy variable such as income (for which data more readily exist) Thus, the basic question here
is, which approach better explains consumer behavior?
1) Many lifestyle items showed significant correlations with the index of social class, indicating definite but
small differences between the social classes in terms of lifestyles.
2) Some items showed a much greater correlation with social class than with income, suggesting that social
class is a better predictor of consumers’ living patterns than in income.
Those items that were more related to social class than to income seemed to comprise two clusters one
representing cultural activities the other representing a group of social interaction items. Cultural activities
(such as concerts, ballet, and bridge games) are available to people of almost any income level. The fact that
some people choose to engage in them and others do not is one of the things that makes social class a
meaningful concept. Social interaction items (such as confidence, outgoingness, or good looks) may result
from higher class people feeling a sense of belonging and recognition from having a secure place higher up in
the social structure. However, upper social class people also seem to have less interest in the home in general
and in children in particular that do upper income / lower class individuals.
How can the marketer use such information? General lifestyle items that correlate well with product usage
might well explain characteristics of the markets activity, interest, and opinion to the seller. Such finding could
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B.B.A. VI Semester Subject: Consumer Behaviour
give the marketer some direction for product, promotion, channel and pricing decisions. A preferred
approach, however would be to design a lifestyle study especially for the particular firm or its product line..
A fundamental question not specifically addressed above, however, is whether social class or income is more
closely associated with specific consumer activity, particularly with product purchase patterns.
Those who believe that social class is much better than income for market segmentation claim that income
categories are quite often irrelevant in analyzing markets and explaining consumers’ shopping habits store
preferences and media usage. An example of the superiority of social class to income is the following
comparison of three families, all earning approximately the same amount per year, but belonging to different
social classes with radical differences in their spending patterns.
An upper middle class family headed, perhaps by a young lawyer or a college professor is likely to spend a
relatively large share of its income on housing in a prestige neighborhood, on expensive furniture, clothing
from quality stores, and on cultural amusements or club memberships.
A middle class family headed, let’s say, by an insurance salesman or a successful grocery store owner probably
has a better house, but in not as fancy a neighborhood as full a wardrobe although not as expensive; more
furniture but none by name designers; and a much bigger savings account.
A working class family headed perhaps by a welder or cross country truck driver is likely to have a smaller
house and neighborhood than the others; however it will have a larger newer car, more expensive kitchen
appliances, and a larger TV set in the living room. This family will spend less on clothing and furniture but
more on food and sports.
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B.B.A. VI Semester Subject: Consumer Behaviour
UNIT- V
Attitude and consumer behavior:- Meaning of attitude, nature and characteristics of attitude, types of attitude,
learning of attitude, sources of influence on attitude formation, Model of attitude- Tri component attitude model,
multi attribute attitude model, Consumer decision making process:- Introduction, levels of consumer decision
,consumer information processing model ,Hierarchy of effects model.
ATTITUDES
Introduction. Consumer attitudes are a composite of a consumer’s (1) beliefs about, (2) feelings about, (3)
and behavioral intentions toward some object--within the context of marketing, usually a brand or retail
store. These components are viewed together since they are highly interdependent and together represent
forces that influence how the consumer will react to the object.
Beliefs. The first component is beliefs. A consumer may hold both positive beliefs toward an object (e.g.,
coffee tastes good) as well as negative beliefs (e.g., coffee is easily spilled and stains papers). In addition,
some beliefs may be neutral (coffee is black), and some may be differ in valance depending on the person or
the situation
So we can say that - Attitudes are defined as a mental predisposition to act that is expressed by evaluating a
particular entity with some degree of favor or disfavor.
MODELS OF ATTITUDE
We will now look at the various models of attitudes. But before looking at these models, we have to understand
the fact that many a times our attitudes depend on the situations. For example, we identify certain products
and see how the specific situation shave made us form the said attitude.
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B.B.A. VI Semester Subject: Consumer Behaviour
1) Attitude toward object model. The attitude-toward object model is suitable for measuring attitudes
towards a product or service category or specific brands. This model says that the consumer’s attitude toward
a product or specific brands of a product is a function of the presence or absence and evaluation of certain
product-specific beliefs or attributes. In other words, consumers generally have favorable attitudes toward
those brands that they believe have an adequate level of attributes that they evaluate as positive, and they
have unfavorable attitudes towards those brands they feel do not have an adequate level of desired attributes
or have too many negative or undesired attributes. For instance, you may like BMWs.
2) Attitude toward behavior model: This model is the individual’s attitude toward the object itself. The crux
of the attitude-towards-behaviour model is that it seems to correspond somewhat more closely to actual
behavior than does the attitude-toward-object model. So taking on from liking a BMW, we may say you are not
ready to buy/drive one because you believe that you are too young/old to do so.
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B.B.A. VI Semester Subject: Consumer Behaviour
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