Behavioural Economics

In today’s hyper connected world, consumers have the opportunity to review products, services, retailers and just about anything and everything. If we need an opinion of something, it likely exists online. Websites such as Yelp, Trip Advisor and Amazon have given consumers a platform to share their feedback quickly and easily. These reviews are important to marketers because consumers trust and use them as an input into the purchase decision process. In short, they have a real impact.

Consumers and shoppers are purposeful and will more likely act consistently with their underlying preferences and motivations. This is what makes consumers neatly or broadly rational. Rationality does not assume consumers are conscious of their preferences, motives and decision processes. Consumers operating under System 1 may not always make the most consistent choices but that doesn’t make them in essence irrational consumers.

When behavioural economics helps understanding the impact of psychological costs in purchase decisions.