Assume that HEYDUDE has developed two new types of casual athletic shoes. One is designed for runners and the other has been developed as a line extension for their fashion minded customers. As a marketer, you need to evaluate the potential psychological influences for each of these distinct target markets. Rank each of the following on a scale of $1$ to $5$ in order of importance for runners vs$.$ fashion minded individuals. Consider $1$ as the most important variable and $5$ is the least important $($do not repeat numbers within your rankings$).$

FACTOR

RUNNER

FASHION MINDED

Family Influences

Reference Groups

Opinion Leaders

Social Classes

Culture and Subcultures

Are your top two ranks for the runner and the fashion minded markets the same or different? If they are dissimilar, explain why various social influences affect contrasting target markets. If they are similar, explain why you feel so$.$

Consumers use one of three decision$-$making processes when purchasing goods or services: $(1)$ routinized response behavior; $(2)$ limited decision making; or $(3)$ extended decision making. Describe three buying experiences you have had $($one for each type of decision making$),$ and identify which decision$-$making type you used. Discuss why that particular process was appropriate.

The consumer buying process consists of five stages: $(1)$ problem recognition; $(2)$ information search; $(3)$ evaluation of alternatives; $(4)$ purchase; and $(5)$ post$-$purchase evaluation. Not every buying decision goes through all five stages, and the process does not necessarily conclude in a purchase. Interview a friend about the last purchase he or she made. Report the stages used and those skipped, if any.

Attitudes toward products or companies often affect consumer behavior. The three components of an attitude are cognitive, affective, and behavioral. Briefly describe how Anheuser$-$Busch might alter the cognitive and affective components of consumer attitudes toward the purchase of beer and toward the company.

An individual$$s roles often influence a person$$s buying behavior. As an example, roles your professor has in life include the following: husband, father, homeowner, neighbor, employee, son, sibling, cousin, community volunteer, Catholic, etc. Identify two of your roles and provide detailed examples of how each role has influenced your buying decisions.