What comes to mind when you consider the term marketing? Whether you are familiar with the concept (perhaps working in the field) or have a vague idea of what it means (i.e., unsure how it differs from advertising), it is almost a certainty that marketing has a significant impact on your decision making as a consumer. Think about some of your favorite brands, products that you must have in your fridge or pantry, or services that fall into the “necessities” column of your budget. How did marketing play a role in introducing those products and services to you and in influencing your decision to purchase them? In this Discussion, you will consider the impact of marketing on consumers, including yourself.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review this week’s Learning Resources. Consider how consumers make decisions, as well as how marketing is used to condition consumers and affect their cultural mindsets.

By Day 3

Post an analysis of the role of marketing on consumer decision making, to include the following:

• In your own words, analyze how marketing affects the decisions consumers make.
• Appraise the role of marketing in your life and how awareness can change the minds of consumers when buying products or services.
• To support your analysis, identify two or three examples of marketing.

Refer to the Week 1 Discussion Rubric for specific grading elements and criteria. Your Instructor will use this grading rubric to assess your work.

Important Note About Discussion Rubrics: In the peer-to-peer engagement section of the Discussion, the focus of your posts and responses should be to promote quality interaction with your colleagues and Instructor, to further the dialogue on the particular topic, to deepen your mutual understanding of concepts, and to draw out new ideas. Although you are encouraged to provide support for ideas you bring in from other sources, which is appropriate for discourse within a master’s-level classroom, emphasis is placed on the quality of the engagement as noted in the Discussion rubrics, with 40% of your score based on your level of engagement in the ongoing conversation with your colleagues.