Marketing Psychology

Understand the psychology of selling. Study consumer behaviour and think how your customer thinks. Discover how to raise visibility and succeed at marketing.

Course Code: BPS107
Fee Code: S2
Duration (approx) Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification Statement of Attainment
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GET INSIDE YOUR CUSTOMER'S HEAD

Getting their attention is the starting point -and you need to be noticed if there is ever any chance of that happening.
 
Did you Know?

In retailing (at least), shoppers can be categorised into the following four groups:

1. Economic Shoppers: Most interested in prices, value, product quality & economic factors. Not so interested in treatment by staff, decor of the store, location etc.

2. Personalising Shoppers: Enjoy the interaction with sales staff, preferring to shop with sales staff they know & like.

3. Ethical Shoppers: Avoid large chain stores or companies that tend towards monopolies or deal with products which are judged unethical. Don't shop at big supermarkets because "they are putting the small man out of business" Prefer to buy food from the biodynamic shop because it hasn't been treated with chemicals... etc

4. Apathetic Shoppers: Don't like shopping, and go to the most convenient supplier.

Through an understanding of things such as this, a sales or marketing person is able to better manage their marketing effort, and conduct their work in a more efficient and appropriate way. This is just one of many aspects to this course.
 

Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

  1. People as Consumers
    • Scope and nature of marketing
    • Reasons for marketing
    • Types of customers: loyal, discount, needs based, wandering, impulse
    • Economic, economic, personal, apathetic shoppers
    • Understanding reward options: rational, sensory, social, ego satisfaction
    • Influence on customers
    • Physical factors
    • Consumer problems
    • Attitudes
    • Beliefs
    • Affects
    • Behavioural intention
  2. Market Segmentation
    • Geographic
    • Demographic
    • Age
    • Sex
    • Socio-economic
    • Geo-demographic
    • Psychological segmentation
    • Segmentation by usage
    • Segmentation by benefit
    • Global segmentation
    • Entry into foreign markets
    • Total Product concept
    • Personal influences
    • Diffusion of new products
  3. Internal Influences Perception & Personality
    • The senses: vision, hearing and smell.
    • Multi sensual marketing
    • Thresholds of awareness
    • Sensory adaptation
    • Attention
    • Selective perception
    • Perceptual distortion
    • Perceptual cues
    • Gestalt psychology
    • The Phi phenomenon
    • Subliminal perception
    • Product image and self image
    • Personality theory and application to marketing
    • The MMPI
    • The TATT
    • The Rorschach Ink Blot Test
    • Non Freudean and Freudean theories
    • Self theory
    • Self image marketing
    • Trait theory
    • Brand personality
    • Relationship segmentation
  4. Internal Influences -Motivation and Awareness
    • Learning
    • Behavioural approach
    • Classical conditioning
    • Operant conditioning
    • Cognitive approach
    • Memory and marketing
    • Modelling
    • Motivation
    • Maslow's hierarchy of needs
    • Different motivations
    • Inertia
    • Involvement
    • Antecedents of involvement
    • Properties of involvement
    • Outcomes of involvement
    • Specific needs
    • Unconscious motivation
    • Creating needs
    • Semiotics
  5. Social Influences
    • Understanding society
    • Family influences
    • Family changes
    • Family life cycle
    • Households
    • Socialisation
    • Institutional affects
    • Consumer socialisation
    • Family consumer decisions
    • Roles
    • Conflict resolution
    • Changing roles
    • Social and developmental influences
    • Influences on children
    • Marketing and advertising
    • Small groups, Formal and informal groups
    • Membership and reference groups
    • Reference groups and consumer behaviour
    • Variability of products
    • Differences in consumer susceptibility
    • Influence of social class
    • Inheritance
    • Measuring class, class categories and changing class
    • Marketing and Consumer behaviour
    • Cultural influences, communication, ideals and actualities
    • Differences in culture: sub cultures, ethnicity, changes in culture
  6. Consumerism
    • Why study the consumer
    • What is a consumer
    • History of consumerism
    • Changes in consumer experience
    • The supplier
    • Business ethics
    • International ethics
    • The market place
    • Consumer action
    • False and deceptive advertising
    • Methods of false advertising misrepresentation, insufficient details, price based methods etc.
  7. Communication and Persuasion
    • Attitudes and the concept of attitude to how attitudes form
    • How attitudes are changed
    • Practical applications for marketing
    • Message evaluation and selection
    • Message execution
    • Celebrity testimonials
    • What words sell
  8. Deciding to Buy
    • Making a decision
    • Rational decisions
    • Heuristic Procedures
    • The decision making process -step by step
    • Merchandising
    • Trend toward home shopping

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

  • Identify categories of shoppers.
  • Describe the key concepts of Market Segmentation
  • Determine the role of perception and personality in the marketing process
  • Determine the factors that motivate a consumer toward a purchase.
  • Define how social factors influence a consumers behaviour
  • Discuss consumerism in the context of marketing.
  • Determine the factors that influence consumer attitude and marketing communication and persuasion.
  • Apply the concept of multi - element buying decisions.

MARKETING SUCCESS STARTS WITH GETTING ATTENTION

AND FINISHES IN GETTING A DECISION


Understanding how people think about what they buy is extremely valuable information; but as with any information; it is only useful when it is used properly.

Whilst some elements of psychological theories have been applied to marketing to good effect, this has not always been the case. The application of behavioural theories and market research as espoused by JB Watson is one of the better uses.  

Biofeedback measures have also been used to try and establish associations between arousal levels and the marketing of products. This may involve a research participant wearing a GSR (galvanic skin response) device on their finger which records increases in perspiration. As such, marketing materials which create a greater response may be singled out and used more extensively. 

In recent years there has been increased interest in 'neuromarketing'. This generally involves asking research participants to review various products, advertisements, and related marketing paraphernalia whilst undergoing an MRI scan. The areas of the brain which show stimulation are then correlated with the material to look for patterns of stimulation. This field of enquiry is likely to see a lot more exploration as time goes on.   

Although the link between consumer's buying behaviour and the marketing of products is not as clear cut as many in the field would like to think, it is clear that some types of marketing do have an effect. For instance, product placement in television dramas would seem to influence young people more than older people, if only because they use their observations in social discourses which help to form their sense of identity.   

Despite some products and advertising campaigns failing badly, there are many examples of others which worked with great impact, and so the desire to find new ways to tap into people's needs and wants will always be there.  


Take the first step toward being better in Marketing, Sales or Public Relations.

Learn to understand the customer. 

  • Do you understand target markets, consumer behaviour, gathering data, and ways to market goods or services in different types of selling environments.

  • Everyone may be an individual; but groups of people also share common characteristics. Recognise this, discover the things that will get the attention of a particular group, and you are then half way toward successful marketing



Where this Course Can Lead?

Graduates will have an enhanced understanding of the way a potential customer thinks.
They will understand the things that cause a person to consider one product or service rather than other options.
They will know the triggers that cause a customer to make a decision to buy, and then act on that decision.

This knowledge is rarer than you might think in the world of business; but properly learned and applied; it makes all the difference between success and failure -between selling and not selling.

BUSINESSES FAIL WHEN THEY DON'T SELL THEIR PRODUCTS

Learn these things and you will be far better equipped to:

  • Make a success of your own business
  • Write more effective advertising copy
  • Work in any job in sales or marketing
  • Work in PR
  • Work as a business coach or consultant
  • Help people who have developed financial problems through excessive spending
  • Undertake further studies in Business or Marketing

ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.
ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.
Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.
Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.

How can I start this course?

You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.

Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete.
If a student cannot submit their assignments for 6 months to ACS, they should advise the school to avoid cancellation of their student
registration. Recommencement fees may apply.

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What do I need to know before I enrol?

There are no entry requirements that you need to meet to enrol in our courses, our courses are for everyone.
If you are under 18, we need written permission from your parent/ guardian for your enrolment to continue, we can arrange that after you have enrolled.

You don’t need to purchase any additional resources to complete our courses.

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If you have limited computer skills, we can make special arrangements for you.

This is possible, it depends on the institution. We recommend that if you would like to use our courses that you contact the institution first. Our Course Handbook is a good resource for this.

Our courses are written in English and we only have English speaking academic staff. If you can read and complete your assignments in English, our courses are ideal for you.

Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.

This course has been designed to cover the fundamentals of the topic. It will take around 100 hours to complete, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and anything else that is contained in the course. Our short courses are a great way to do some professional development or to learn a new skill.

It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.

The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.

Our courses are designed for adults to gain professional development and skills to further their careers and start businesses.

Our custom online learning portal allows you to conduct your learning online. There may be practical tasks that you can do offline. You have the option of downloading your course notes or print them to read later.

There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).

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We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.

Yes, your tutor is here to help you. Simply post any questions you have in your login.training portal or contact the office and we can pass on a message to your tutor.

We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.

Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.

Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here

There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.

When you complete the course work and the exam and you will be able receive your course certificate- a Statement of Attainment. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.

You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.

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Employers value candidates with industry skills, knowledge, practical skills and formal learning. Our courses arm you with all of these things to help prepare you for a job or start your own business. The longer you study the more you will learn.

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We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

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Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

Sarah Edwards

Over 15 years industry experience covering marketing, PR, administration, event management and training, both in private enterprise and government; in Australia and the UK.

Jacinda Cole (Psychologist)

Psychologist, Educator, Author, Psychotherapist.
B.Sc., Psych.Cert., M. Psych. Cert.Garden Design, MACA
Jacinda has over 25 years of experience in psychology, in both Australia and England. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and a Masters in Psychology (Clinical) and also trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the London Centre for Psychotherapy. She has co-authored several psychology text books and many courses including diploma and degree level courses in psychology and counselling. Jacinda has worked for ACS for over 10 years.

Tracey Jones (Psychologist)

B.Sc. (Psych), M.Soc.Sc., Dip.Social Work, P.G.Dip Learning Disability, Cert Editing, Cert Creative Writing, PGCE.
Member British Psychological Society, Member Assoc. for Coaching, Member British Learning Assoc.
25 years industry experience in writing, editing, education, psychology, and business. Tracey has several books and hundreds of articles published; in both fiction and non fiction.





Tutors

Meet some of the tutors that guide the students through this course.

Andrew Williams

Andrew Williams BSc (Hons), PgDip Eng, MSc, CEng MIET, CMgr FCMI

Andrew has extensive experience across the engineering and building services industries, with specialisms in refrigeration and energy management, with professional recognition as both a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Manager.

This experience includes working in consulting and leadership roles right through to being hands on to deliver projects and outcomes for large scale organisations and within startup and scale up environments.

He has adapted his experience to integrate with new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) to allow for a data driven perspective to be applied to problem solving and is actively using Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to solve real world problems.

Jenny Bragg

Jenny has experience across many different business areas including marketing, operations management and human resources, her specialty fields are events, hospitality and tourism. She has worked in a number of different service sector organisations including hotels, restaurants, bars and specialist event providers. Jenny is a trained teacher and has worked with different educational bodies in the UK, as well as providing a consultancy service to the business and events sector.

Jade Sciascia

Former Business Coordinator, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Secondary School teacher (Biology); Administrator (Recruitment), Senior Supervisor (Youth Welfare). International Business Manager for IARC. Academic officer and writer with ACS for over 10 years, both in Australia and in the UK.

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