600 Words

Review and reflect on the knowledge you have gained from this course. Based on your review and reflection, write at least 3 paragraphs on the following:

• What were the      most compelling topics learned in this course?
• How did      participating in discussions help your understanding of the subject      matter? Is anything still unclear that could be clarified?
• What approaches      could have yielded additional valuable information?
• The main post      should include at least 1 reference to research sources, and all sources      should be cited using APA format.

1000 Words

Part 1 Tasks (Objectives from Phases 1–4): My Personal Customer Profile.

Using the information that you have researched about your own buying behavior during Phases 1–4, it is time to create your personal customer profile.

For this Key Assignment draft, you are compiling all of your ideas related to social, group, and anthropological views of consumer behavior and the influences and effects of social class, family structure, cultural background, and group identification. You are also considering how technology, the economy, and political factors influence your consumer behaviors, create customer retention, and help you understand your own consumer behavior.

The profile is designed to explain your personal buying habits and behaviors—essentially why you buy.

Your customer profile will include the following sections:

Section I: Why Do I Buy? My Buying Behaviors and Attitude

This section will include information about what motivates you to purchase products or services. It will show how your cultural and societal influences are interrelated in your buying choices. Katz (1937) noted that consumer attitudes exist to satisfy one of these 4 functions: Utilitarian, Value-Expressive, Ego-Defensive, and Knowledge.

Section 1 should include the following:

• Your photo
• An analysis of 3      purchases that you made recently with reasons why you bought the products      or services
• Explain 1      societal influence that affected the purchases.
• Explain 1 group      influence that affected the purchases.
• Explain 1      cultural influence that affected the purchases.
• An analysis of      your buying attitude and its influence on your consumer buying decisions
  • Click here for       additional information on consumer attitudes.

Choose 1 of the buying attitudes in the following table, and explain why you buy. Include an example of a product or service that matches this buyer attitude and purchasing behavior.

My Buying Attitude

Why I Buy

Utilitarian:   Individuals with this attitude buy based on the amount of pain or pleasure   that it brings.

Value-Expressive:   Individuals with this attitude buy based on how the product affects their   social identity.

Ego-Defensive:   Individuals with this attitude believe that a certain product or service may   compromise their self-image.

Knowledge: Individuals   with this attitude examine facts and real-world situations when buying a   product.

Section 2: What Speaks to Me? My Communication Style

This section examines your personal communication style and how it affects your buying choices. This section will also include what type of advertising messages and appeal influence your purchase decisions.

Section 2 should include the following:

• An explanation      of what advertising appeal attracts your attention the most and why. To      help you get started, click here.
• An analysis of      how a brand can get your attention quickly and effectively to make you a      lifelong, loyal customer.
  • Include an       example of an ad that appealed to you and why. It can be a print ad,       social media site, television or radio commercial, direct mail piece, or       any communication that “spoke” to you and made you consider purchasing       the product.