3.2 Factors That Influence Consumer Buying Behavior
4 min read•june 24, 2024
is shaped by a complex web of influences, from cultural norms to personal traits. These factors drive our purchasing decisions, affecting what we buy, when we buy it, and why. Understanding these influences is crucial for marketers to create effective strategies.
The consumer involves several steps, from recognizing a need to post-purchase evaluation. By segmenting markets based on shared characteristics, marketers can tailor their approaches to specific consumer groups, increasing the likelihood of successful marketing campaigns and customer satisfaction.
Cultural and Social Influences on Consumer Behavior
Cultural influences on purchasing decisions
Top images from around the web for Cultural influences on purchasing decisions
Reading: Buying-Process Stages | Principles of Marketing View original
Is this image relevant?
Reading: Social Factors | Principles of Marketing View original
Is this image relevant?
Reading: The “Black Box” of Consumer Behavior | Principles of Marketing View original
Is this image relevant?
Reading: Buying-Process Stages | Principles of Marketing View original
Is this image relevant?
Reading: Social Factors | Principles of Marketing View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Cultural influences on purchasing decisions
Reading: Buying-Process Stages | Principles of Marketing View original
Is this image relevant?
Reading: Social Factors | Principles of Marketing View original
Is this image relevant?
Reading: The “Black Box” of Consumer Behavior | Principles of Marketing View original
Is this image relevant?
Reading: Buying-Process Stages | Principles of Marketing View original
Is this image relevant?
Reading: Social Factors | Principles of Marketing View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Culture shapes consumer preferences and purchase decisions by establishing a shared set of values, perceptions, wants, and behaviors within a society (American culture values individuality and convenience)
are groups with shared value systems based on common life experiences and can influence buying behavior (Hispanic subculture may prefer bilingual product labeling)
Ethnic, religious, racial, and geographic subcultures impact consumer choices
refers to society's relatively permanent, ordered divisions whose members share similar values, interests, and behaviors
Affects product and brand preferences (luxury vs. budget), media habits (print vs. digital), and shopping patterns (boutiques vs. discount stores)
Social groups and buying behavior
serve as direct (face-to-face) or indirect points of comparison or reference in forming a person's or behavior
Membership groups (family, friends), aspirational groups (celebrities, influencers), and dissociative groups (groups with undesired characteristics) influence product and brand choices
Family is the most important consumer buying organization in society
stages (bachelor, married, retired) affect buying behavior and preferences
within groups (family, clubs, organizations) define expected behaviors and reflect esteem given by society
Consumers choose products that communicate their roles (parent, executive) and status (luxury car, designer clothing)
Personal and Psychological Factors Influencing Consumer Choices
Personal characteristics in consumer choices
Age and life-cycle stage influence buying behavior and preferences (baby products for new parents, retirement services for seniors)
Occupation impacts product and service needs (work uniforms for construction workers, laptops for professionals)
Economic situation affects product choice and spending patterns (budget-friendly options during recessions)
Personality refers to unique psychological characteristics that lead to relatively consistent and lasting responses to the environment
(or self-image) is how individuals view themselves; consumers choose brands with personalities that match their self-image (adventurous, sophisticated)
, which includes a person's activities, interests, and opinions, shapes purchasing decisions and brand preferences
Psychological factors of purchase decisions
Motivation is a need that is sufficiently pressing to direct a person to seek satisfaction
is the process by which people select, organize, and interpret information to form a meaningful picture of the world
(noticing relevant stimuli), distortion (interpreting information to fit preconceptions), and retention (remembering positive attributes) influence consumer perceptions and decision-making
refers to changes in an individual's behavior arising from experience
Drives (internal stimuli), stimuli (external cues), cues (minor stimuli guiding behavior), responses (reactions to stimuli), and reinforcement (positive outcomes) shape consumer learning and
are descriptive thoughts that a person holds about something
Attitudes are relatively consistent evaluations, feelings, and tendencies toward an object or idea
Beliefs and attitudes influence buying behavior and brand preferences (eco-friendly products for environmentally conscious consumers)
Situational elements of buying patterns
like décor, sounds, aromas, lighting, and weather affect consumer buying decisions (cozy café atmosphere encourages lingering and additional purchases)
, including the presence of others, their characteristics, and roles, influence purchase behavior (peer pressure to conform to group norms)
, such as time of day, time pressures, and occasions (holidays, events), shape consumer choices (last-minute gift shopping during the holiday season)
, whether for personal use or as a gift, affects product selection and the buying process (more time and effort invested in choosing gifts)
and condition, including temporary emotional states (anxiety, pleasantness) and conditions (cash on hand, fatigue), impact consumer decisions (impulse purchases when feeling happy or stressed)
Consumer Decision-Making Process and Market Segmentation
The consumer decision-making process
Need recognition: Identifying a problem or unfulfilled need
Information search: Gathering information about potential solutions
Evaluation of alternatives: Comparing options based on important criteria
Purchase decision: Choosing a product or brand to buy
Post-purchase behavior: Experiencing satisfaction or dissatisfaction, which influences future purchases and brand loyalty
Market segmentation and consumer behavior
divides the market into distinct groups with similar needs, characteristics, or behaviors
analyzes consumers based on psychological attributes, including personality traits, values, and attitudes