AMB200 Understanding how Consumers Think, Feel, and (Mis)Behave


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:AMB200
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:48 credit points of completed studies
Equivalent:AMX200
Coordinator:HS Jin | hs.jin@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

A fundamental component of effective and successful marketing activity is an understanding of consumers, their needs and behaviours. Studying the behaviour of consumers in a wide range of situations and circumstances provides marketers with clear guidelines for the development of marketing strategy. This unit provides the foundation theories for the marketing major.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Explain and analyse consumer behaviour theories
  2. Apply theoretical and practical knowledge to investigate real world consumer behaviour problems and to recommend strategies and tactics that address the complexity and variability of consumer behaviour
  3. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in relation to consumer behaviour issues
  4. Communicate thoughts and opinions in written form effectively and to a professional standard

Content

This unit covers the purchasing process of consumers by examining both the internal and external influences on the consumer.

Internal influences refers to:

  • perception
  • learning
  • memory
  • personality
  • motivation
  • emotion
  • attitudes
  • culture
  • situational factors
  • groups
  • demographics

External influences refers to:

Students will use philosophical paradigms to also examine the ethics of marketing to consumers in terms of the level of freewill and choice they are able to exercise. The generic capabilities this unit develops are knowledge of the topic area, communication skills, problem-solving skills and critical thinking.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.

Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
1.2 Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.

Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.1 Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.

Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
3.2 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.

Teamwork and Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.

Social, Ethical and Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.

Learning Approaches

This unit adopts teaching and learning methodologies that includes the presentation of the main consumer behaviour theories and models. A lecture format will be used to present the theoretical concepts (objective 1) while tutorials will be used to practice these theories through the use of experiential activities to provide opportunities for students to link theory to practical marketing and business environments (objective 2). Students are also taught communication skills using expert guest speakers (objective 3). This balance between theory and practice is also reflected in the assessment.

This approach is designed to foster critical enquiry and intellectual debate of consumer behaviour theories as well as creativity to solve marketing problems.

 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
  • Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
  • Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  • Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment

Overview

Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Consumer Behaviour Portfolio

Students will undertake activities in the tutorials that require insightful understanding of their own consumer behaviour. Students will select three activities to compile into a portfolio. 

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1), PC (3.1)

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Length: 2000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 7
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4

Assessment: Consumer Behaviour Report

Students are required to select from a list of consumer behaviour problems currently being experienced by real organisations, and generate marketing recommendations based on consumer behaviour theory.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1, 2.2), PC (3.1), SE (5.2)

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 60
Length: 3,000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 1, 2, 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Solomon M. R., Russell-Bennett, R. & Previte, J. (2019). Consumer Behaviour: Buying, Having, Being (4th edn.). Pearson: Australia.

Students are required to have their own copy.

Other resources
Additional Readings will be available on the Unit Canvas site.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Consumer Behaviour Portfolio, Consumer Behaviour Report

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO2, Consumer Behaviour Portfolio, Consumer Behaviour Report

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Consumer Behaviour Portfolio, Consumer Behaviour Report

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Consumer Behaviour Report

SE (5.2): Global Social Responsibility

Relates to: ULO3, Consumer Behaviour Report

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

BS05 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Consumer Behaviour Portfolio, Consumer Behaviour Report
  2. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
    Relates to: ULO3, Consumer Behaviour Report
  3. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Consumer Behaviour Portfolio, Consumer Behaviour Report
  4. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, Consumer Behaviour Portfolio, Consumer Behaviour Report
  5. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, Consumer Behaviour Report

BS06 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO1, Consumer Behaviour Portfolio, Consumer Behaviour Report
  2. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
    Relates to: Consumer Behaviour Report
  3. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, Consumer Behaviour Portfolio, Consumer Behaviour Report
  4. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: Consumer Behaviour Portfolio, Consumer Behaviour Report
  5. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: Consumer Behaviour Report

BS08 Bachelor of Business - International

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO1, Consumer Behaviour Portfolio, Consumer Behaviour Report
  2. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
    Relates to: Consumer Behaviour Report
  3. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, Consumer Behaviour Portfolio, Consumer Behaviour Report
  4. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: Consumer Behaviour Portfolio, Consumer Behaviour Report
  5. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: Consumer Behaviour Report

KC40 Bachelor of Communication

  1. Demonstrate capacity to understand and critique the historical, cultural, technological, and regulatory implications of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries.
    Relates to: ULO1, Consumer Behaviour Portfolio, Consumer Behaviour Report
  2. Demonstrate effective communication skills with the ability to adapt strategies across different media and professional settings and for diverse audiences.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Consumer Behaviour Portfolio, Consumer Behaviour Report
  3. Critically interrogate the economic and cultural power of digital media, communication, entertainment, and news to make ethical, sustainable, and inclusive contributions to diverse workplaces, communities, and audiences.
    Relates to: ULO3, Consumer Behaviour Report
  4. Create authentic and professional-quality communication outputs that reflect an application of academic content, critical thinking skills, and social awareness.
    Relates to: ULO4, Consumer Behaviour Portfolio, Consumer Behaviour Report