What is Consumer Behavior?

Consumer behavior is defined as, “studying the process individuals or groups employ to select, purchase, use, and dispose of goods or services to satisfy their needs… so why do individuals purchase products the way they do?

The consumer decision making process beings with Problem Recognition. In “Problem Recognition” with purchasing clothes, I look into my closest and realize that I do not have any clothes! This would probably happen while I am preparing to go out to a party, or when I look outside the window and see that there is a plethora of snow and I do not have anything to keep me warm! After this problem recognition, I move on to the second step, information search.

In the information search section, I would probably use both external and internal sources. Internal sources consist of memory based sources. Therefore, I would look back on my memory, and rememebr which shops and stores I find favorable . If I am unable to completly use my memory, I would have to use external sources, namely, the internet. Because I do live in Pullman, and there are no stores near by, I would have to inevitably use the internet and purchase my products online. After, I would move on the the third set, evaluate alternatives.

As I am evaluating alternatives, I would have to look into my own opinions and decide what types of products I am interest in. I would narrow my alternatives by creating evaluation criteria. Eventually, I will need to make my decision.

The final decision is ultimately based on heretics and brand loyalty. I am a very loyal person to forever 21, hence, I would probably purchase my product from this website.

Finally, I will evaluate my purchase decision. Did I make the correct choice? Should I have purchased from another retailer? These types of decisions would leave me pondering for quite a bit.

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