The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between psychological wellbeing and uniqueness seeking behaviour. Early research in psychology has primarily followed a pathogenic approach, focusing on the way in which stressful life events predispose an individual to negative health outcomes. More recently a number of theorists and researchers have adopted a salutogenic approach, which refers to the origins of physical and mental health and explores the factors that assist individuals to maintain psychological and physical well-being in the face of stressful situations (Antonovsky. 1979 & 1987; Pallant & Lae, 2002). Uniqueness seeking is a relatively new construct that seems to be part of the repertoire of strengths an individual uses to improve psychological well-being. Theorists postulate that moderate needs for uniqueness are experienced more positively than extremely high or extremely low needs for uniqueness. (Lynn & Snyder, 2002 and Snyder & Fromkin, 1980). The study aims to determine the difference in psychological well-being in individuals with varying needs for uniqueness; to explore the perceptions and subjective experience of uniqueness seeking; and to explore the role uniqueness seeking plays in consumer behaviour. The psychometric properties of two scales measuring uniqueness will also be investigated, as they have not previously been used in a South African sample. To achieve these aims an availability sample of 187 students completed self-report measures of psychological well-being and uniqueness seeking behaviour namely, the Orientation to Life Scale (Antonovsky. 1987), the Self Attributed Need for Uniqueness Scale (Lynn and Harris, 1997b) and the Desire for Unique Consumer Products Scale (Lynn and Harris, 1997a). Sixteen of these students participated in focus groups in order to explore the participants' subjective experience of being unique. A further 13 participants took part in focus groups in order to explore the role uniqueness seeking plays in consumer behaviour. The measures were found to be reliable in this particular group and the means and standard deviations calculated were comparable with those mentioned in literature. No direct relationship between psychological well-being and uniqueness seeking was found, nor was it found that differences in psychological well-being exist between individuals with a moderate sense of uniqueness and individuals with a high or low sense of uniqueness. Individuals perceive uniqueness to be a quality that emerges naturally through the expression of the self and that actively seeking to be unique or not is rather due to a poor self-image. It was further found that individuals would go to some length to protect their sense of uniqueness, that most individuals preferred a sense of moderate uniqueness to either extremely high or extremely low sense of uniqueness, and that most individuals are satisfied with their level of uniqueness. Individuals described feeling happy and more confident when they perceived themselves to be unique. These individuals believe that the stage of life they are in and significant others play a role in determining the way in which uniqueness will have meaningful expression for them. Uniqueness seeking does not play as big a role in consumer behaviour as was expected, however, it does influence the consumption of consumer goods to a certain extent. It is therefore concluded that uniqueness seeking influences psychological well-being indirectly by the relationship it has with self-image. self-identity, self-confidence, group identifications, and subjective happiness. These findings have implications for future research in that the need for a valid and reliable instrument measuring uniqueness for use in South African samples is highlighted. The findings further clarify the uniqueness seeking construct thus contributing to the literary database of constructs that play a role in psychological well-being. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

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Problem: Because an organizations’ profits are generally derived from product sales, it is important to recognize the relationship between consumers’ purchase intentions and organizational involvement in socially responsible practices. A gap exists in the research and studies conducted on consumer social responsibility as it relates to purchase intentions from a consumer perspective. H1: A positive association exists between an organization’s involvement in CSR programs and consumers’ purchase intentions. Thus, consumers are more likely to purchase an organization’s product if that organization is involved in socially responsible practices. RQ1: Are consumers aware of specific organizational involvement in socially responsible programs? RQ2: Are consumers aware of a lack of specific organizational involvement in socially responsible programs? Significance of Problem: Despite evidence that consumers appear to feel strongly about organizational involvement in socially responsible programs, research has shown that social responsibility was not a dominant goal in a majority of companies studied. Value: The relationship between CSR and consumers’ purchase intentions is important to understand because often CSR is dismissed as merely another public relations’ tool. However, understanding the underlying reasons consumers make purchases in relation to CSR would contribute to the understanding of CSR as a strategic management function overall. Methodology: Using a combination of interviews and emailed surveys, consumers were asked questions to determine the association between organizational involvement in socially responsible programs and consumers’ purchase intentions. Additionally, consumers were asked to identify their awareness of specific organizational involvement in socially responsible programs / Department of Journalism

Continued in this thesis is a description of the retail shipping behavior of Muncie, Indiana, residents and residents living in the fringe areas of Muncie, Indiana. In addition to a description of shopping behavior, this study also ascertained the major factors associated with selection of a major shopping location in Muncie by the area and fringe area residents. The major shopping locations included in the study were Downtown, Meadows Shopping Center, Muncie Mall, Northwest Plaza, Southway Plaza, and The Village. Major factor areas tested for association with selection of shopping location were socioeconomic variables, information sources, consumer attitudes toward store selection, and consumer evaluation of the shopping locations.Special attention was given to the influence of driving time on selection of a shopping location. Approximately 2700 license plate numbers were recorded from Muncie’s major shopping locations to determine the geographic dispersion of shoppers patronizing these shopping locations.

This thesis has investigated the difference in the acceptance and of subsequent purchase between two baked products according to sex of the individual. The study was conducted on 350 shoppers at selected supermarkets in Muncie, Indiana, to determine if there is a need for further study in the area of sex difference as a determinant in the type of criteria used to judge products in the marketplace. The development of the instrument used to collect the data and method of administration of the instrument are discussed.Analysis of Variance was used to analyze the data. No significant difference was found in the hypotheses tested. Recommendations for further study in the area of sex as a factor in products behavior are discussed.

Darbą sudaro trys dalys. Pirmojoje darbo dalyje „TEORINIAI PASLAUGŲ KOKYBĖS IR VARTOTOJŲ POREIKIŲ PATENKINIMO ASPEKTAI“ nagrinėjama literatūroje pateikiamos paslaugos ir paslaugų kokybės sampratos, paslaugos struktūra, paslaugų kokybės modeliai ir kokybę įtakojantys veiksniai. Pateikiama vartotojų klasifikacija bei metodai, skirti vartotojų poreikių patenkinimui išmatuoti. Antrojoje dalyje „SVEIKATINGUMO PASLAUGŲ KOKYBĖS ĮTAKOS VARTOTOJŲ POREIKIŲ PATENKINIMUI EMPIRINIS IŠTYRIMO LYGIS“ aptariama, kokie tyrimai yra atlikti paslaugų kokybės ir vartotojų poreikių patenkinimo srityje Lietuvoje ir užsienyje. Trečioje darbo dalyje „SVEIKATINGUMO PASLAUGŲ KOKYBĖS ĮTAKOS VARTOTOJŲ POREIKIŲ PATENKINIMUI TYRIMAS“ pateikiama tyrimo metodika, gauti tyrimo rezultatai, jų analizė bei sukurtas sveikatingumo paslaugų kokybės ir vartotojų poreikių patenkinimo priklausomybės modelis. Darbe pateikiami 36 paveikslai, 16 lentelių bei 1 priedas, kurie vaizdžiau perteikia informaciją. Darbą sudaro 83 puslapiai. Panaudotos literatūros sąrašą sudaro 42 šaltiniai. / Thesis is comprised of three parts. 83 pages, 36 pictures, 16 tables and 1 appendices presenting information in a more pictorial way comprise the thesis. 42 source of literature have been used.

Characteristics of consumers who used unit pricing were compared to consumers who did not use unit pricing. A numerical rating was developed to aid the researcher in classifying consumers into to extreme groups, "usually" and "seldom". The sample consisted of 50 shoppers who usually and 50 shoppers who seldom used unit pricing. Data was collected at a local supermarket where unit pricing is provided. Of the variables tested, annual family income was not significant (.861); number of individuals shopped for was relatively significant (.283); and age of consumer (.028), occupation of consumer (.067), employment pattern of consumer (.031), education of consumer (.00014), occupation of spouse (.00001), and shopping frequency (.026) were significant.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between psychological wellbeing and uniqueness seeking behaviour. Early research in psychology has primarily followed a pathogenic approach, focusing on the way in which stressful life events predispose an individual to negative health outcomes. More recently a number of theorists and researchers have adopted a salutogenic approach, which refers to the origins of physical and mental health and explores the factors that assist individuals to maintain psychological and physical well-being in the face of stressful situations (Antonovsky. 1979 & 1987; Pallant & Lae, 2002). Uniqueness seeking is a relatively new construct that seems to be part of the repertoire of strengths an individual uses to improve psychological well-being. Theorists postulate that moderate needs for uniqueness are experienced more positively than extremely high or extremely low needs for uniqueness. (Lynn & Snyder, 2002 and Snyder & Fromkin, 1980). The study aims to determine the difference in psychological well-being in individuals with varying needs for uniqueness; to explore the perceptions and subjective experience of uniqueness seeking; and to explore the role uniqueness seeking plays in consumer behaviour. The psychometric properties of two scales measuring uniqueness will also be investigated, as they have not previously been used in a South African sample. To achieve these aims an availability sample of 187 students completed self-report measures of psychological well-being and uniqueness seeking behaviour namely, the Orientation to Life Scale (Antonovsky. 1987), the Self Attributed Need for Uniqueness Scale (Lynn and Harris, 1997b) and the Desire for Unique Consumer Products Scale (Lynn and Harris, 1997a). Sixteen of these students participated in focus groups in order to explore the participants' subjective experience of being unique. A further 13 participants took part in focus groups in order to explore the role uniqueness seeking plays in consumer behaviour. The measures were found to be reliable in this particular group and the means and standard deviations calculated were comparable with those mentioned in literature. No direct relationship between psychological well-being and uniqueness seeking was found, nor was it found that differences in psychological well-being exist between individuals with a moderate sense of uniqueness and individuals with a high or low sense of uniqueness. Individuals perceive uniqueness to be a quality that emerges naturally through the expression of the self and that actively seeking to be unique or not is rather due to a poor self-image. It was further found that individuals would go to some length to protect their sense of uniqueness, that most individuals preferred a sense of moderate uniqueness to either extremely high or extremely low sense of uniqueness, and that most individuals are satisfied with their level of uniqueness. Individuals described feeling happy and more confident when they perceived themselves to be unique. These individuals believe that the stage of life they are in and significant others play a role in determining the way in which uniqueness will have meaningful expression for them. Uniqueness seeking does not play as big a role in consumer behaviour as was expected, however, it does influence the consumption of consumer goods to a certain extent. It is therefore concluded that uniqueness seeking influences psychological well-being indirectly by the relationship it has with self-image. self-identity, self-confidence, group identifications, and subjective happiness. These findings have implications for future research in that the need for a valid and reliable instrument measuring uniqueness for use in South African samples is highlighted. The findings further clarify the uniqueness seeking construct thus contributing to the literary database of constructs that play a role in psychological well-being. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.