Consumer behavior essay: Zukin, S & Maguire, J (2004) Consumers and Consumption, Annual Review of Sociology, Vol.30.
The Assignment Task
You are required to provide a review of the following three articles:
Article 1
Zukin, S & Maguire, J (2004) Consumers and Consumption, Annual Review of Sociology, Vol.30 Article 2
Ahuvia, A (2005) Beyond the Extended Self: Loved Objects and Consumers’ Identity Narratives, Journal of Consumer Research, Vol. 32 Article 3 Ger, G & Belk, R (1996)
I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke: Consumptionscapes of the “less affluent world”, Journal of Consumer Policy Reading across all articles, you should critically discuss and evaluate these articles, summarise the key points before providing a critique of the discussion utilising the concepts discussed during the teaching sessions or from additional readings. You can use the following broad guidelines to complete your review and critique of the article: Purpose of the Assessment The purpose of this assignment is to encourage students to think more critically about consumer behaviour and apply areas of cultural, social, personal or psychological influence on consumer’s today. This will be achieved by the critique of an article discussing consumer behaviour from at least 10 years ago. Students should be looking for areas to challenge, or expand upon as they relate to current academic thinking in consumer behaviour. • Remember to summarise the key points of the article – what are the big overarching themes that the paper refers to? • How are consumer identities seen to be developed? • What evidence is there of culture of consumption • To what extent are the views presented contemporary of today’s consumer society? • How has consumption become an aspect of consumer’s everyday lives? Is this relevant for all consumers? • How are identities seen to be developed through the ‘consumer bubble’? • What do the authors state defines a culture of consumption • How have times changed? • What do the authors say about a global culture of consumption? • Why are stories important for understanding consumption • What do the authors note about less affluent countries/emerging markets/post-socialist countries? Why is an understanding of this important?