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What Is Consumer Psychology?

happy woman choosing and buying food in market

Consumer psychology is a specialized branch of social psychology, and it is the study of consumers and their behavior. This includes their wants and needs, as well as what influences their purchasing habits. There are a number of things that might influence what a consumer purchases, such as how a product is packaged, how much it costs, or how easily accessible it is. Even a consumer’s mood might have an influence on some of the products that they purchase.

Businesses will often use consumer psychology to make consumers more willing to buy certain products or services. The results of consumer psychology research, for instance, can help these businesses present their products or services in a more appealing light, which may make consumers more likely to part with their hard earned money. This can include little details, like packaging, shelf placement, and advertising.

What Are the Education Requirements to Become a Consumer Psychologist?

Below is the complete educational path for the Psychologists:Psychologist Educational TrackSchool ProgramsAverage Education LengthChoosing Online or Campus1.Earn a Bachelor’s DegreeView Programs4 YearsOnlineorCampus2.Earn A Master’s DegreeView Programs2 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus3.Earn a PHD or PsyDView Programs2-4 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus

Psychologist Educational TrackSchool ProgramsAverage Education LengthChoosing Online or Campus1.Earn a Bachelor’s DegreeView Programs4 YearsOnlineorCampus2.Earn A Master’s DegreeView Programs2 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus3.Earn a PHD or PsyDView Programs2-4 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus

Consumer psychology careers typically start withfour year undergraduate degreesin psychology. While earning these degrees, students will often take several psychology courses, along with statistics courses. Those interested in consumer psychology as a career should also take courses in business, marketing, consumer trends, and economics.

Some consumer psychologists might find that they are able to secure entry level positions with the right education. In order to open more doors and further their careers, however, many consumer psychologists should consider earning graduate degrees as well, likeMaster’s degreesandDoctorate degrees.

What Does a Consumer Psychologist Do?

A consumer psychologist’s main duty is to get inside the mind of the consumer.

Many consumer psychology careers also involve finding ways to get consumers to spend or buy more.

Where Does a Consumer Psychologist Work?

A consumer psychologist might work as a self-employed consultant or a full time employee.

These professionals might work for advertising and marketing agencies, or for businesses and corporations. Government agencies and universities might also hire consumer psychologists as well.

What Is the Average Salary of a Consumer Psychologist?

Consumer psychologists primarily work for private industry and business (management, scientific, and technical consulting services), where they earn a mean annual salary of $116,610.

Influential Consumer PsychologistsJohn Watson is often considered to be the first consumer psychologist, since he was the first person to come up with the idea that the emotions of consumers may influence what they purchase.Kurt Lewin helped influence consumers to eat more organ meats, like liver and kidneys, that were plentiful during World War II.

Influential Consumer Psychologists

John Watson is often considered to be the first consumer psychologist, since he was the first person to come up with the idea that the emotions of consumers may influence what they purchase.

Kurt Lewin helped influence consumers to eat more organ meats, like liver and kidneys, that were plentiful during World War II.

Additional Resources and Further Reading

Society for Consumer PsychologyConsumer Behavior: The Psychology of MarketingForbes.com - Cracking the Code of Consumer PsychologyAssociation for Consumer ResearchYouTube.com - What is Consumer Psychology: Glyndwr University2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections forpsychologists, all other,is based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2023.

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections forpsychologists, all other,is based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2023.

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