Overview
Consumer Behaviour is the study of individual, group, and organisational processes involved in selecting, securing, and using products and services. Understanding why, what, and how consumers purchase is fundamentally critical to marketers and policymakers. In this unit you will examine both the internal and external factors that influence buyer behaviour using consumer decision making models as a framework. Furthermore, you will develop critical understandings on elements from psychology, sociology, social anthropology, marketing and economics relating to the decision-making processes of buyers, as well as the roles emotions and cognitions play in buying behaviour.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prereq of MRKT11028 or MRKT11029
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student Emails and Student Evaluations.
Students enjoyed the authentic learning applications embedded within the weekly workshops.
To maintain and further develop the authentic learning applications within the weekly workshops.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator Reflection.
Authentic assessments were all well received by students.
To continue to identify appropriate diverse start up businesses for assessments.
- Assess the contributions of social sciences in the development of consumer behaviour principles
- Identify critical situational influences that shape purchase and consumption decisions of consumers
- Apply models of consumer decision making to specific examples of consumer behaviour
- Evaluate the influences of internal and external factors on thoughts, feelings, and actions of consumers
- Outline how consumer behaviour principles can be used as conceptual frameworks for developing effective marketing strategies.
N/A
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 2 - Presentation - 30% | |||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
Consumer behaviour: Implications for marketing strategy
- Edition: 7th (2015)
- Authors: Quester, P., Pettigrew, S., Kopanidis, F., Rao Hill, S. & Hawkins, D.I.
- McGraw-Hill Education (Australia) Pty Ltd
- ISBN: 9781743076811; 9781760421410 (eBook)
- Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsoft office suite
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.mitsis@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to Consumer Behaviour and the Role of Situations
Chapter
1 and 2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Consumer Decision Making - Problem Recognition and Information Search
Chapter
3 and 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Consumer Decision Making - Choosing, Purchase and Post Purchase
Chapter
5 and 7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Perception
Chapter
8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Learning and Memory
Chapter
9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Motivation, Personality and Emotion
Chapter
10
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Attitude and Attitude Change
Chapter
11
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2026Module/Topic
Society, Demographics and Lifestyle
Chapter
12
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 11 May 2026Module/Topic
Household Structure
Chapter
13
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 18 May 2026Module/Topic
Group Influence and Communication
Chapter
14
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 25 May 2026Module/Topic
Culture and Cross-Cultural Variations
Chapter
16
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Social Stratification
Chapter
15
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
This assessment is to be completed entirely without the use of AI and thus demonstrate your core skills and knowledge. Specifically, students will need to prepare a consumption journal comprising of a total of four (4) entries. Two entries are to be made over the course of week 3 (Monday March 23rd, 2026, to Friday March 27th, 2026) and a further two entries are to be made over the course of week 4 (Monday March 30th, 2026, to Friday April 3rd, 2026).
Each entry should be approximately 250 words. The total word length should not exceed 1000 words.
Students are to use the following two Consumer Decision Making theories as guiding principles, which are discussed during weeks 2 and 3:
1. Problem Recognition and Information Search; and
2. Choosing, Purchase and Post Purchase
Within the journal entries, students need to reflect on their own experience as a consumer of a particular brand by describing the decision-making process and key internal and external factors that have affected their choices.
Instructions:
- This is an individual assessment (no groups).
- Submit your word document (no PDF) through the Assessment tile on the unit Moodle site.
- Use 12 point font with double line spacing.
Your consumption journal word document should contain the following:
- Two entries are to be made over the course of week 3 (Monday March 23rd, 2026, to Friday March 27th, 2026).
- A further two entries are to be made over the course of week 4 (Monday March 30th, 2026, to Friday April 3rd, 2026).
Skills:
- A consumption journal reflecting on your own experiences as a consumer and using the Problem Recognition and Information Search, Choosing, Purchase, and Post-Purchase theories as a framework is a challenging task that provides you with an opportunity to undertake a significant piece of work.
Week 4 Friday (3 Apr 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 6 Friday (17 Apr 2026)
1. Problem Recognition and Information Search - 10 marks
2. Choosing, Purchase and Post Purchase - 10 marks
Total 20 marks
- Identify critical situational influences that shape purchase and consumption decisions of consumers
- Apply models of consumer decision making to specific examples of consumer behaviour
- Evaluate the influences of internal and external factors on thoughts, feelings, and actions of consumers
2 Presentation
This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
This assessment is to be completed entirely without the use of AI and thus demonstrate your core skills and knowledge. Specifically, the second assessment requires you to prepare a comprehensive face to face live presentation comprising of a company analysis for one of the following three start-up businesses:
1. Cloopi™️- Built In Cloopiverse: Art toy (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1018071181/cloopitm-built-in-cloopiverse-smile-collect-care?ref=discovery_category&total_hits=2925&category_id=396)
2. Plan & Grow – A personal growth planner for entrepreneurs (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1606494687/plan-and-grow-a-personal-growth-planner?ref=discovery_category&total_hits=904&category_id=27)
3. The Dog Poo Bag by Uimhir a Doh #2 (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ckav2/uimhir-a-doh-the-dog-poo-bag?ref=discovery_category&total_hits=340&category_id=28)
Your presentation must also include a self-reflection on your journey using the provided template. Your presentation must not exceed 5 minutes with a maximum of 5 slides excluding the title slide and the reference list slide.
Please note that your presentation must be presented live within the workshop that you are enrolled in during week 7 regardless of whether you are a face to face or distance student. A pre-recorded presentation will not be accepted and result in zero (0) marks being awarded. It is expected that all students submit their PowerPoint Slides with no voice recording in week 6 through Moodle.
Workshop Leaders will stop your presentation at 5 minutes regardless to whether or not you have completed your presentation, so it is very important to rehearse and manage the time limit. Workshop Leaders will ask students two questions about their presentation as the conclusion of their presentation.
NB: The Second Assessment task is related to the Third Assessment task.
Instructions:
- This is an individual assessment (no groups).
- Submit your PowerPoint presentation slides (no voice recording) through the Assessment tile on the unit Moodle Site.
- Be prepared to answer two questions from your Workshop Leader as the conclusion of your presentation.
Your presentation document should contain the following:
- A single PowerPoint document with no voice recording to be submitted in week 6 through Moodle.
- PowerPoint slides must not exceed 5 slides (excluding the title slide and reference list slide).
- Discuss the company analysis conducted.
- Discuss the customer analysis conducted.
- Use at least 5 quality references to support analyses conducted.
- Present a self-reflection on your journey using the set template.
- Presentation is to be presented live during your week 7 workshop regardless to mode of study and not exceed 5 minutes in duration.
- Distance students will present their presentation during their week 7 zoom workshop.
Skills:
- A comprehensive presentation of two analyses and a self-reflection is a challenging task that provides you with an opportunity to undertake a significant piece of work with practical application.
Week 6 Friday (17 Apr 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Live Presentations to take place in week 7 workshops regardless of mode of study.
Week 8 Friday (8 May 2026)
PowerPoint design and referencing - 2 marks
Live Presentation skills - 6 marks
Company analysis - 8 marks
Customer analysis - 8 marks
Self-reflection - 4 marks
Answer to workshop leader questions - 2 marks
Total 30 marks
- Assess the contributions of social sciences in the development of consumer behaviour principles
- Outline how consumer behaviour principles can be used as conceptual frameworks for developing effective marketing strategies.
3 Written Assessment
This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
This assessment is to be completed entirely without the use of AI and thus demonstrate your core skills and knowledge. Specifically, the third assessment task requires you to write a business report for the start-up business selected in Assessment 2. This report should not exceed 2000 words excluding references and appendices.
Your report should include and address the following:
1. Title Page
- The title page will include the title of the report, your name, student number, campus, workshop leader's name and word count.
2. Executive Summary
- The executive summary should provide a comprehensive overview of the whole report including the key findings.
3. Table of Contents
- The table of contents will present each section of the report, including subheadings, with their appropriate page numbers.
4. Introduction
- The introduction should present a brief outline of the organisation and the purpose, aim, and scope of the report.
5. Four Marketing Objectives
- Students need to develop four marketing objectives. The marketing objectives need to be SMART and well justified.
6. Company Analysis
- Students need to provide a full write up of the company analysis presented in Assessment 2.
7. Customer Analysis
- Students need to provide a full write up of the customer analysis presented in Assessment 2.
8. Three Marketing Strategies
- Students need to present three marketing strategies for the selected start-up business.
9. Conclusion
- Students will need to provide some concluding remarks, closing with the key call to action.
10. Citations and Reference List
- Student must use the APA referencing style. The report should include at least ten (10) quality sources of information such as academic journal articles, academic textbooks, trade journals, newspaper articles and industry/business websites.
11. Appendices
- Appendix 1 should present a self-reflection of the journey undertaken to complete this assessment using the set template.
- Appendix 2: should present any other relevant supporting information for the report.
Instructions:
- This is an individual assessment (no groups).
- A single word document (no PDF) is to be submitted online through the Assessment tile on the unit Moodle site.
- Use 12 point font with double line spacing.
Skills:
- Understanding the complexities of consumer behaviour is essential for businesses to appropriately position themselves in the marketplace.
- This is a challenging assignment and will provide you with the opportunity to undertake a significant piece of work with a practical application.
Week 11 Friday (29 May 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Marked assessments will be returned following certification of grades (8 July 2026).
Development of four justified marketing objectives - 4 marks
Company analysis full write up - 6 marks
Customer analysis full write up - 6 marks
Development of three marketing strategies (3 x 6 marks) - 18 marks
Citations and reference list - 5 marks
Spelling, grammar and written report - 5 marks
Self-reflection - 6 marks
Total 50 marks
- Assess the contributions of social sciences in the development of consumer behaviour principles
- Identify critical situational influences that shape purchase and consumption decisions of consumers
- Apply models of consumer decision making to specific examples of consumer behaviour
- Evaluate the influences of internal and external factors on thoughts, feelings, and actions of consumers
- Outline how consumer behaviour principles can be used as conceptual frameworks for developing effective marketing strategies.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
