The need for marketers to understand why consumers act as they do in the marketplace is the crux of this subject. Students are equipped with theoretical and conceptual knowledge of consumer behaviour, drawing heavily on both psychological and sociological viewpoints. This includes the psychology of individual decision-making and choice, patterns of behaviour exhibited by aggregate groups of consumers, and also the sociological and cultural influences on consumer attitudes and behaviour. This prepares students for making informed decisions about how to manage and respond to the needs and wants of consumers.