MKTG 350: Consumer Behavior
Prerequisites: MKTG 340
Credit Hours: (3)
A study of the consumer decision process, the cultural, social, and psychological factors variables that influence behavior, and the impact of consumer actions on marketing tactics and strategies. This course applies concepts from a variety of social science disciplines to include psychology, sociology, and cultural anthropology to describe, explain, evaluate, and predict consumer behavior.
Note(s): Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course.
Detailed Description of Content of the Course
Whether an organization is a profit or non-profit business, a brick-and-mortar store
or internet-only business, it exists because there are people who 鈥渃onsume鈥� what the
organization 鈥減roduces.鈥� Yet, in most cases the consumers are taken for granted and
it is assumed that their needs, attitudes, and behavior are well understood. An organization
will suffer and may cease to exist if a competitor is able to better understand and
serve customers鈥� needs.
This course helps students develop an understanding of the factors that influence
consumer behavior and the application of behavioral science theories to marketing
decision making. Topics covered in this course include:
鈥� Consumer behavior and marketing strategy
鈥� The consumer decision process
鈥� Cultural influencers on consumer behavior
鈥� Learning, memory and consumer socialization
鈥� Motivation, personality, and emotion
鈥� Attitudes and influencing attitudes
鈥� Perception
鈥� Self-concept and lifestyle
鈥� Group influences on consumer behavior
Detailed Description of Conduct of the Course
Instructional approaches used in this course include lecture, discussions, and experiential
activities. Other strategies that may be employed include projects, case study, guest
lecturers, and multimedia applications.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
At the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to:
鈥� Describe the consumer decision process
鈥� Recognize the social, cultural and psychological variables that shape the consumer
decision process
鈥� Demonstrate the impact of consumer behavior concepts on marketing tactics and strategies
Assessment Measures
Students鈥� grades in this course may be based on examinations, participation in class
discussions, experiential exercises or other projects as assigned.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
DATE ACTION APPROVED BY
10-18-04, reviewed and approved by the Dept. of Management and Marketing faculty
11-04-11, reviewed, revised and approved by the Department of Marketing faculty
March 20, 2012 Revised
March 01, 2021