The Consumer-Directed Theory of Empowerment (CDTE) is presented as a model for guiding the development and evaluation of disability policy and rehabilitation services. The major tenet of CDTE is that increased consumer direction in disability policy formulation and rehabilitation service delivery will lead to increased community integration,…

The analysis presented here focuses on the relationship between femininity, transition and consumer culture. It explores the relationship between gender and consumer culture in the context of a discussion of the transition from childhood to teenage status for a group of young girls, and seeks to make a critical contribution to contemporary debates…

One of the central themes in marketing's consumer research has been that of isolating various desired product attributes that determine consumer purchasing patterns. The best way to identify determinant attributes, however, has become the subject of a controversy that has yet to be resolved. Overall, marketing researchers have generally embraced…

Social thinkers in the United States do not recognize that technology is a result of conscious decisions that directly reflect the social order, and, therefore, have an impact upon American life that goes beyond the technological development itself. The decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1954 established standards for color…

Discusses a study undertaken by the Nottingham University Consumer Study Group to determine market operation for popular convenience foods in England. Information is presented on distribution of purchases, brand loyalties of respondents to a questionnaire regarding convenience foods, and market fluctuation due to inflation. (Author/DB)

This paper reviews the literature on consumer involvement in dental quality assessment, argues for inclusion of this information in quality assessment measures, outlines a conceptual model for measuring dental consumer quality assessment, and presents data relating to the development and validation of an instrument based on the conceptual model.…

Describes research that examined the strengths and weaknesses of technological forecasting methods by analyzing forecasting studies made for home video players. The discussion covers assessments and explications of correct and incorrect forecasting assumptions, and their implications for forecasting the adoption of home information technologies…

The behavior variables in 67 studies of marketing and consumer behavior were analyzed; significant variables relevant to satisfying the needs of older consumers were identified. Meta analysis revealed such factors as price consciousness, use of information sources, habituated shopping, and age-related concerns useful in predicting the consumer…

The individual and social uses of recent technological applications, such as information delivery and interactive home systems, are discussed. Also explored are problems related to the harnessing of these advances to individual information needs, and policy issues generated by the new technologies. Thirteen references are cited. (Author/SW)

This paper traces the development of consumer education and of the two closely related areas of the consumer movement and economic education. It is intended for use by graduate students in the three fields, teachers of consumer and economic education, material producers, education administrators, and other policymakers, including government,…

This article discusses consumer involvement with college health services: its historic development, forms of involvement, and benefits and limitations of particpation and its implications. (CJ)

Examines characteristics of today's teenagers and discusses their buying power and buying patterns. (GT)

The market as educator has become firmly lodged at the centre of popular and scholarly debate commenting on the nexus between children, consumption and education/learning. In this paper, I appreciate this scholarly debate from the point of view of the sociology of consumption. The latter has been relatively silent on children's consumption and…

This monograph examines the impact of media advertising on the poor. The first half of the report discusses research on the conceptual styles of the poor, mass communication among the poor, and advertising and the low-income consumer. The second half describes the methodology and results of a study of the advertising evaluation capacity and…

Reviewing household equipment research over 75 years, this study found researchers responding to needs for information on new appliances, energy, and consumer protection. Since 1950 research has increasingly reflected marketers' concerns. Researchers have been hampered by problems of conceptualization, visibility, funding, and a reactive…