Consumer behavior can be conceptualized by introducing a theoretical framework which defines its scope and boundary and identifies six developmental levels. The infancy stage, Level I, is the study of consumer behavior referred to as the scientific study of psychological structure and process dynamics of individuals consuming an economic good exchanged by a business organization while satisfying consumers at maximal profit. Level II is directed to both business and consumers for the purpose of satisfying consumers at a maximal profit and protecting and educating consumers in the market place. Level III extends consumer behavior to the nonprofit sector through which a nonprofit organization satisfies consumers at minimal cost. Level IV takes consumer behavior into the noneconomic goods' sector. These profit or nonprofit organizations may attempt to elicit a social response from its publics. Level V generalizes the study of consumer behavior across different social entities. Level VI extends the study to the physical and biological areas. (Author/BM)