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Student Handout (layout for digital distribution, but could be printed)
General Overview
This unit equips students with essential consumer skills to navigate financial decisions in a modern, media-driven world. Key topics include understanding consumer behavior, the impact of social media on spending, comparison shopping, and protection against scams and identity theft. Students will explore how advertising, dark patterns, and peer influence can shape their purchasing decisions and will learn strategies for making informed choices.
Skills needed or developed for the unit
Critical Thinking: Students will analyze various factors influencing consumer decisions, such as price, quality, environmental impact, and marketing techniques. This helps them assess information critically before making purchases.
Communication Skills: By examining the influence of social media, advertisements, and dark patterns, students learn to recognize manipulative tactics and make more informed decisions as consumers.
Decision-Making: Students will practice making thoughtful, informed consumer choices through comparison shopping and evaluating the long-term effects of their purchases.
Financial Literacy: The unit helps students build practical skills like budgeting, identifying scams, and understanding identity theft, enhancing their overall financial responsibility.
Goals of the unit:
Key Learning Objectives:
Analyze the role of social media and influencers in consumer decisions.
Understand and apply comparison shopping techniques to make informed purchases.
Identify and protect against scams, fraud, and identity theft.
Explore the ethical and environmental impact of consumer choices.
Potential Projects:
Vocabulary Associated with this Unit
Vocabulary Associated with this Unit
Consumer Skills Vocabulary List
This vocabulary list will help students develop critical thinking, financial literacy, and informed decision-making skills for navigating modern consumer challenges.
Consumer Behavior – The study of how individuals make decisions to spend their money on goods and services.
Comparison Shopping – Evaluating multiple products or services to determine the best value based on price, quality, and features.
Advertising – A marketing strategy used to persuade consumers to buy products or services through various media channels.
Dark Patterns – Manipulative design techniques used by companies to trick consumers into making purchases or sharing personal information.
Impulse Buying – Making unplanned purchases based on emotions or external influences rather than necessity.
Brand Loyalty – The tendency of consumers to continuously purchase products from the same brand due to familiarity or trust.
Peer Influence – The impact of friends, family, and social circles on an individual’s purchasing decisions.
Identity Theft – A type of fraud where someone unlawfully obtains and uses another person’s personal information, usually for financial gain.
Scams – Fraudulent schemes designed to trick people into giving away money or personal information.
Budgeting – The process of creating a plan to manage income, expenses, and savings effectively.
Financial Literacy – The ability to understand and apply financial concepts such as saving, investing, and responsible spending.
Media Literacy – The ability to critically analyze and evaluate messages in media, including advertisements and social media content.
Subliminal Messaging – Hidden or subtle messages in advertising intended to influence consumer behavior without conscious awareness.
Sustainable Consumption – Making purchasing decisions that minimize negative environmental and social impacts.
Consumer Rights – Legal protections ensuring fair treatment, product safety, and truthful advertising for consumers.
Unit Pricing – The cost of a product per unit of measurement, allowing consumers to compare prices effectively.
Warranties & Guarantees – Promises made by manufacturers or sellers to repair or replace defective products within a specified time.
Return Policies – The rules and conditions set by retailers regarding product returns, refunds, and exchanges.
Credit & Debt – Borrowed money that must be repaid, often with interest, affecting financial stability.
Fraud Protection – Measures taken to safeguard personal and financial information from scams, hacking, and identity theft.
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