Final answer:
Jenna's decision-making in purchasing designer items endorsed by celebrities is influenced by the power of celebrity endorsements and the desire to make a social statement through conspicuous consumption. It reflects wider social norms where teenagers and young adults purchase brand-names to fit in and express their identity, a phenomenon leveraged by companies using brand ambassadors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jenna's behavior of purchasing designer jeans and high-priced stilettos endorsed by her favorite entertainers illustrates how consumer decision-making is influenced. In this case, Jenna's choices are swayed by celebrity endorsements, which play a significant role in shaping consumer behavior. This is a form of conspicuous consumption, where individuals buy goods not just for their practical use but also to make a social statement about status or to align themselves with admired figures. Jenna's attitudes, values, and her support for certain causes and charities endorsed by celebrities also demonstrate the impact of celebrities as influential agents in creating social norms and consumer trends.
Regarding the impact of social norms on buying behavior, especially among teenagers, it's usually not driven by factors such as saving money or following parents' rules, but rather by the desire to fit in with peers and feel a part of the group. Such behavior is an example of symbolic interactionism, where purchases serve as a means to communicate an individual's identity and social standing. Moreover, companies capitalize on this by using popular figures as brand ambassadors, knowing that their influence can sway the purchasing decisions of others, mimicking the same philosophy as celebrity endorsements.