Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.
consumer behavior
This term is primarily used within the professional registers of marketing, psychology, and economics. It describes a systemic approach to understanding the decision-making process of a buyer, shifting the focus from the product itself to the psychological and social drivers of the person purchasing it.
As a specialized academic and professional term, it is treated as an uncountable noun. It refers to the general field of study or the collective phenomenon of how people act as consumers, rather than a single instance of a person behaving in a certain way. Consequently, it does not take a plural form in standard usage.
Meanings
The study of the processes which individuals, groups, or organizations use to select, purchase, use, and dispose of products, services, ideas, or experiences to satisfy their needs and the influences that affect these decisions.
Researchers analyze consumer behavior to understand why customers prefer one brand over another.