Understanding Buying Decisions

INTRODUCTION: What influences you to buy a product? What are your motives? What are the psychological influences on your buying decisions? Psychological influences determine general behavior and a person's purchasing behavior.

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer the following questions as they apply to your ideas about buying decisions. Indicate whether each item is Mostly False or Mostly True.

Mostly False Mostly True Question

1. Grocery stores put candy and gum at the check-out counter because hungry shoppers will buy them.

2. When the weather turns cold, shoppers are motivated to buy new winter coats.

3. Computer owners buy anti-virus software as a safety measure to prevent computer viruses and loss of important data.

4. Colgate brand toothpaste appeals to safety needs because it fights tooth decay, resulting in better health.

5. Advertisements for perfume suggest that this product will lead to love and social acceptance.

6. Shirts emblazoned with a company logo appeal to a customer's need to belong.

7. Buying a Porsche or a BMW brings recognition and respect from others.

8. Buying Starbucks coffee because the company supports literacy projects is motivated by the desire to be a caring individual.

9. Taking an online continuing education class on opera or Roman history helps an individual grow and develop.

10. Joining a fitness center is a motivator for those who want to get in shape and improve their health.

11. Few shoppers make the majority of their purchases from online retailers like Amazon.com.

12. Shopping online allows consumers to read the reviews and hear about the experiences of others on Facebook or Instagram.