What I learned from Consumer Behavior.

The biggest take away I have form our Consumer Behavior class it the fact that every single consumer is different, based on there past and where they currently are in their lives. Because of this, simple economic cannot be used when studying consumer, but more a blend of psychology, sociology, marketing and economics. Through this consumer can then be broken into demographics to better understand their buying/spending habits, but something that is perfect for one consumer will never be perfect for all, even within that demographic.

However, it is interesting that we are still able to market to consumers because even though we are all individual consumers, as people, especially influenced by certain cultures, our actions can somewhat be predicted. This brings me to one of my favorite assignments fro this semester, which was reading Predictably Irrational. It is amazing that even as the author of the book, and social scientist, Dan Ariely is still unable to change some of his most predictable consuming behavior. He acknowledges that it exists, but does not completely address the issues in this personal life. It has helped me to realize some of my own personal consumer behaviors and make small changes (especially when it comes to the word free and certain “sales”).

Overall, I really liked this more physiological approach to marketing and business. It much more my style, rather than accounting or finance, but still carries the same amount, it not more merit. This may sound weird, but it also helped my film side of things. As a director, you are expected to know our characters better than anybody else. You have to know their history, their wants and their needs. In order to be a successful marketer, the same must be done with customers. This class had an impact of both my film and business degrees.

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