Chapter 14: Consumption to Satisfaction
ANSWER:
Answers will vary. A consumer is more likely to experience true dissonance following a purchase when the
91. Define consumer satisfaction. How does it differ from other important consumer behavior concepts?
Answers will vary. Consumer satisfaction is a mild, positive emotional state resulting from a favorable
appraisal of a consumption outcome. Several points distinguish consumer satisfaction from other important
consumer behavior concepts:1. Consumer satisfaction is a post-consumption phenomenon because it is a
reaction to an outcome.2. Like other emotions, satisfaction results from a cognitive appraisal. Some refer to
this appraisal as the satisfaction judgment.3. Satisfaction as an emotion is a relatively mild emotion and does
not create strong behavioral motivations.
92. List out some possible post-consumption reactions other than satisfaction. Why is it important to assess these reactions
of consumers?
Answers will vary. Some possible post-consumption reactions are:1. Delight2. Disgust3. Surprise4.
Exhilaration5. AngerThese particular emotions are often much more strongly linked to behavior because
although they are also emotional reactions to appraisals, they are often much stronger. For example, an angry
consumer exhibits much more noticeable and persistent behavior than does a consumer with low satisfaction.
93. Define expectations. Describe the four types of consumer expectations.
Answers will vary. Expectations are pre-consumption beliefs of what will occur during an exchange and/or
consumption of a product. Consumer expectations have two components: the probability that something will
occur and an evaluation of that potential occurrence. Consumers bring different types of expectations into a
consumption situation:1. Predictive expectations—expectations that form about what a consumer thinks will
actually occur during an experience.2. Normative expectations—expectations of what a consumer thinks
should happen given past experiences with a product or service.3. Ideal expectations—expectations about
what a consumer really wants to happen during an experience if everything was ideal.4. Equitable
expectations—expectations that a consumer forms regarding what he or she thinks should happen given the
level of work that he or she has put into the experience.
94. Define attribution theory. Explain how the three elements in the attribution theory help in explaining consumer
satisfaction.
Answers will vary. Attribution theory focuses on explaining why a certain event has occurred. This theory
proposes that consumers look for the cause of particular consumption experiences when arriving at
satisfaction judgments. There are three key elements to the attribution theory approach: locus, control, and
stability.1. Locus: It involves the judgments of who is responsible for an event. A self-ascribed event occurs
when a consumer blames himself or herself for a bad event. If an event is attributed to a product or company,
an external attribution is made. This type of attribution of blame toward a marketing entity increases
consumer dissatisfaction.2. Control: It refers the extent to which an outcome was controllable or not. If the
consumer feels the marketer could control the outcome, dissatisfaction is more likely.3. Stability: It refers to
the likelihood that an event will occur again in the future. If the consumer believes that a bad outcome is
likely to happen again, he or she will be dissatisfied.
95. Differentiate durable and nondurable goods with examples.
Answers will vary. Durable goods are typically relatively expensive goods consumed over long periods of
time. Dishwashers, furniture, automobiles, and many electronics like personal computers represent durable
goods. Durable goods that do not perform well cause consumers major problems. Nondurable goods are
typically inexpensive and consumed quickly. Soft drinks, pencils, and Kleenex are nondurable goods.
Nondurable goods that do not perform well do not present major problems for consumers.