Consumer Needs & Motivation: Meaning, Classification and Theories of Motivation
Consumer Needs & Motivation: Meaning, Classification and Theories of Motivation
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CONSUMER NEEDS
&
MOTIVATION
Learning
Unfulfilled Goal or
needs, wants Tension Drive Behavior Need
& desires Fulfillment
Cognitive
Processes
Tension
reduction
Page 47
Types of Motives
Positive & Negative Motivation:
Positive motivations make consumers feel a driving
force toward some object. It is referred to as
approach object.
Negative when there is a driving force away from
the object. Referred as avoidance object.
Rational Vs. Emotional Motives/unitarian Vs hedonic
Rationality implies that consumers select goals
based on totally objective criteria.
Emotional criteria is about selection of goals based
on personal or subjective criteria.
Arousal Of Motives
Physiological Arousal:
A drop in blood sugar levels or stomach muscle
contractions will trigger hunger pangs.
A decrease in body temperature will induce
shivering (will bring in the need for a sweater).
Most physiological cues are involuntary.
However they arouse uncomfortable tensions
till they are satiated.
Arousal Of Motives
Emotional Arousal
People who are bored or frustrated in trying to
achieve their goals often engage in day dreaming
– imagining themselves in desirable conditions.
These thoughts drive dormant needs, which may
produce uncomfortable tensions that drive them to
goal oriented behavior.
They will enroll in writing workshops (novelist),
singing classes (singer), internet chat rooms.
Arousal Of Motives
Cognitive Arousal:
Triggered through marketing communication
activities.
An advertisement that provide reminders of
home will trigger yearning to speak to one’s
parents, wife, children etc. which will benefit
the telephone company.
Ads, direct marketing messages, jingles all
can act as cues.
Arousal Of Motives
Environmental arousal:
Set of needs activated by specific cues in the
environment. Without these cues the needs might
remain dormant.
9’ o clock news, sight or smell of bakery goods, all
may arouse the need for food.
Most potential form of situational cue is the object
itself.
Window display of products, Shelf display in a
supermarket etc.
Hierarchy Of Needs
Physiological needs: For a person who is extremely and
dangerously hungry, no other interest exists but food. He
dreams food ----
Safety Needs: Insurance, Medicare, education, savings
and investments oriented products
Social needs: All most all personal care and grooming
products (cosmetics, mouthwash etc) and family leisure and
entertainment products, furniture, white goods etc
Egoistic Needs: High tech products such as lap tops, Wi-
Fi equipments, home theater, luxury cars etc.
Need For Self Actualization: Athlete trying to win
Olympic medal. Scientist working for a cure for aids – Hobby
related products, precision products, professional sports
gear etc.
Hierarchy Of Needs
As lower order needs are satisfied, higher level
needs becomes the driving force behind human
behavior.
In effect it is dissatisfaction that become the driving
force behind human behavior.
Need hierarchy as wide acceptance as it reflect the
assumed or inferred motivations of many people in
our society.
Draw back: it cannot be tested empirically; there is
no way to assess at what level of satisfaction of
one level will make a person search for the next
level.
Hierarchy Of Needs
Readily adaptable to market segmentation
and for developing ad appeals as there are
consumer goods designed to satisfy each
need levels and most needs are shared by
large segments.
Individuals buy –food provisions, medicines, basic
clothing products to satisfy physiological needs.
They buy home, start bank accounts, rely on PF
and pension schemes to meet their safety needs.
They buy insurance, medical-care services and home
security systems, education to satisfy safety needs.
Individuals buy – health foods, low fat –diet products etc
to satisfy social needs.
All buying of fashion clothes, personal care and grooming
products (cosmetics / after shave /shampoo etc) are to
satisfy social needs
Hi-Tech products like home theatre, LCD TV, Blue-tooth
equipments, big cars are for meeting ego/esteem needs.
High end education, hobby related products, challenging
adventure are sold for getting self fulfillment.
Hierarchy Of Needs
Advertising appeals directed to one or more
need levels.
Volvo targets more traditional buyers and its ad
stresses on the safety appeal.
Ford Ikon, Accent, M-800 are advertised as
family car (social appeal).
Skoda Superb, Sonata, M- Swift, (M-Esteem)
stress on power (Ego needs)
Tata Safari, Ford Endeavour, Ferrari sports car
etc are for self actualization.
A Trio Of Needs
Some psychologists believe in existence of a trio of
basic needs. These needs can be considered
derived from Maslow’s need hierarchy.
Power
Affiliation &
Achievement.
It’s a high
Quality car that Purchase
Performs well A
Chevrolet
Cognitive component
Brand Motivation
Affective
component
Cognitive (Belief) component can be made of a
number of basic benefit beliefs. These are not
the attitude, but rather the reasons for the brand
attitude.
It represents the “perceived ability” of the brand
to meet the currently relevant motivation.
The Emotional (Affect) Component is generated
by the motivation itself.
Since it is currently relevant the motivation is felt
by the buyer as a deprivation,
Eight Basic Motivations
Negative Origin
1. Problem Removal
2. Problem Avoidance
3. Incomplete satisfaction
4. Mixed Approach Avoidance
Mildly Negative Origin
5. Normal Depletion
Positive origin
6. Sensory Gratification
7. Intellectual Stimulation
8. Social Approval
Problem Removal
Buyer experiences a current problem and seeks
products that will remedy the situation.
Saridon, Moov, Iodex, V-guard pumps, Itch
Guard.
Problem Avoidance
Buyer anticipates a future problem and seeks
products that will prevent occurrence of it.
LIC, Finolex, Havells, Anchor switches laptop
cover
Incomplete Satisfaction
Buyer is not satisfied with the current product and
searches for a better product.
Santro, Indica V2, TVS Star City sony vio laptop
Sensory Gratification
Buyer seeks extra stimulation (physiological –
sensory) to enjoy the product.
Mirinda, Cadburys Dairy Milk, Taj Mahal Tea,
Alpinelibel, DSP block MF
Intellectual Stimulation
Buyer seeks extra (psychological) stimulation
to explore / master the new product.
CNN, BBC, Rubik's Cube E.T, finance
products.
Social Approval
Buyers seeks opportunities for social rewards
or social recognition by buying and using the
product. 20000$ BLAZER
Mercedes, Louis Philippe, Cross, Ray Ban
Attributes vs. Benefits Vs. Motivations
Benefits: a) Taste
b) Extra Energy
c) Bad for Health