The Buying Decision Process: The Five-Stage Model

The first stage of the buying decision process is:
A) Purchase decision
B) Information search
C) Problem recognition
D) Post-purchase behavior
Answer: C

In the five-stage model, the stage after “Information Search” is:
A) Problem recognition
B) Purchase decision
C) Evaluation of alternatives
D) Post-purchase behavior
Answer: C

Which stage involves identifying a need or problem?
A) Evaluation of alternatives
B) Problem recognition
C) Purchase decision
D) Information search
Answer: B

Gathering information from personal, commercial, and public sources occurs during which stage?
A) Evaluation of alternatives
B) Problem recognition
C) Purchase decision
D) Information search
Answer: D

Assessing different products and brands based on attributes happens in:
A) Purchase decision
B) Evaluation of alternatives
C) Problem recognition
D) Post-purchase behavior
Answer: B

The actual act of buying occurs in which stage?
A) Information search
B) Purchase decision
C) Evaluation of alternatives
D) Problem recognition
Answer: B

Cognitive dissonance is most likely to occur in which stage?
A) Evaluation of alternatives
B) Problem recognition
C) Post-purchase behavior
D) Purchase decision
Answer: C

Which of the following is NOT a typical information source in the search stage?
A) Personal sources
B) Commercial sources
C) Government regulations
D) Public sources
Answer: C

The evaluation of alternatives stage typically involves:
A) Buying the product
B) Weighing the benefits of different options
C) Searching for product information
D) Feeling post-purchase anxiety
Answer: B

Marketers can influence the purchase decision by:
A) Offering after-sales service
B) Highlighting key product benefits during evaluation
C) Providing easy access to information
D) All of the above
Answer: D

Post-purchase behavior is critical because it affects:
A) Future purchase decisions
B) Immediate purchase only
C) Information search
D) Problem recognition
Answer: A

The stage where buyers may experience satisfaction or dissatisfaction is:
A) Problem recognition
B) Evaluation of alternatives
C) Post-purchase behavior
D) Information search
Answer: C

A “trigger” that starts the buying process is usually found in which stage?
A) Problem recognition
B) Information search
C) Evaluation of alternatives
D) Post-purchase behavior
Answer: A

External stimuli such as advertising can prompt which stage?
A) Post-purchase behavior
B) Evaluation of alternatives
C) Problem recognition
D) Information search
Answer: C

Consumer “evoked set” refers to:
A) All brands available in the market
B) The set of brands seriously considered during evaluation
C) Brands that failed in the market
D) The chosen brand only
Answer: B

Brand loyalty most influences which stage?
A) Evaluation of alternatives
B) Information search
C) Purchase decision
D) Problem recognition
Answer: C

The process of reviewing past purchases to reduce doubt is called:
A) Selective perception
B) Cognitive dissonance
C) Problem recognition
D) Post-purchase search
Answer: B

The consumer’s final choice of brand happens in:
A) Information search
B) Problem recognition
C) Purchase decision
D) Post-purchase behavior
Answer: C

Which of the following can influence the purchase decision after evaluation?
A) Attitudes of others
B) Unexpected situational factors
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B
Answer: C

Post-purchase regret may result in:
A) Increased brand loyalty
B) Complaints or product returns
C) Greater problem recognition
D) All of the above
Answer: B

Which stage may include seeking reassurance from friends or product reviews?
A) Information search
B) Purchase decision
C) Post-purchase behavior
D) Evaluation of alternatives
Answer: C

The “information search” stage is driven by:
A) Satisfaction with current products
B) The desire to solve a recognized problem
C) Brand loyalty
D) None of the above
Answer: B

In which stage do marketers have the greatest opportunity to differentiate their brand?
A) Problem recognition
B) Information search
C) Evaluation of alternatives
D) Post-purchase behavior
Answer: C

The complexity of the buying decision process generally increases with:
A) Lower product prices
B) Higher product involvement
C) Strong brand familiarity
D) Repetitive purchases
Answer: B

Which stage involves forming an intention to buy a specific product?
A) Evaluation of alternatives
B) Purchase decision
C) Problem recognition
D) Post-purchase behavior
Answer: B

In the five-stage model, the customer’s satisfaction or dissatisfaction will affect:
A) Only the current purchase
B) Their word-of-mouth and future purchases
C) The product’s shelf life
D) The company’s production costs
Answer: B

The process of comparing different attributes such as price, features, and brand reputation occurs in:
A) Problem recognition
B) Information search
C) Evaluation of alternatives
D) Purchase decision
Answer: C

Which factor can cause a consumer to delay or cancel their purchase decision?
A) Negative reviews
B) Unfavorable economic conditions
C) Change in needs
D) All of the above
Answer: D

The five-stage model is most applicable to:
A) Impulse purchases
B) High-involvement or complex buying decisions
C) Routine re-purchases
D) None of the above
Answer: B

Which of the following is the correct sequence of the five-stage model?
A) Problem recognition → Evaluation of alternatives → Information search → Purchase decision → Post-purchase behavior
B) Problem recognition → Information search → Evaluation of alternatives → Purchase decision → Post-purchase behavior
C) Information search → Problem recognition → Evaluation of alternatives → Purchase decision → Post-purchase behavior
D) Information search → Evaluation of alternatives → Problem recognition → Purchase decision → Post-purchase behavior
Answer: B

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