What does consumer behavior mean?

In what way services of psychologists are utilized in your country by companies to study consumers behavior?

• I mean, do psychologists play any role in your country for the success of marketing program by proper understanding consumer behavior?

• Answer:

  Psychologists, particularly social psychologists serve as consultants in many respects to large corporations, marketers, and job hunting firms. Often they prepare test and research instruments, which are used to screen potential employees. The test most widely used for that purpose is the MMPI. Many market Research firms are involved in the study of Consumer behavior in order to more effectively peddle their goods. They perform individual interviews, focus groups, and polling either in person or by telephone.One of the most outstanding such studies was called The Poor Pay More. It was turned into a book by David Caplovitz. It demonstrated that the poor paid more for goods, either because they were more susceptible to marketing propaganda, or that stores in poor neighbourhoods charged more for the same goods than in middle class areas. Another well known researcher in this are was Vance Packard. Unfortunately psychologists have been involved with the Army, to provide technical assistance in the performance of interrogations or torture. Thankfully the American Psychological Association has prohibited its members from participating in such activities