Behavioral Psychology in Marketing and Consumer Behavior: MCQs Exam

Test your knowledge of behavioral psychology in marketing and consumer behavior with our MCQ exam. Ideal for students and marketing professionals.

Questions (30)


  1. What is the main principle behind the concept of "consumer behavior" in marketing psychology?

    • a) The study of how consumers make decisions to allocate resources
    • b) The study of advertising techniques
    • c) The study of company profits
    • d) The study of product design
    View Answer
    Correct The study of how consumers make decisions to allocate resources
  2. Which psychological concept explains why consumers feel loyal to a brand even without rewards?

    • a) Cognitive dissonance
    • b) Operant conditioning
    • c) Classical conditioning
    • d) Brand loyalty
    View Answer
    Correct Brand loyalty
  3. How does the "foot-in-the-door" technique influence consumer behavior?

    • a) By first making a small request to increase the likelihood of a larger request later
    • b) By offering a significant discount to encourage large purchases
    • c) By creating urgency through limited-time offers
    • d) By advertising on multiple channels
    View Answer
    Correct By first making a small request to increase the likelihood of a larger request later
  4. Which of the following is a typical use of operant conditioning in marketing?

    • a) Providing subliminal messages in advertisements
    • b) Creating positive associations through repeated exposure
    • c) Offering rewards or punishments based on consumer behavior
    • d) Associating products with popular celebrities
    View Answer
    Correct Offering rewards or punishments based on consumer behavior
  5. How does "reciprocity" influence consumer behavior in marketing?

    • a) Consumers are more likely to respond positively when they receive something of value
    • b) Consumers are motivated by scarcity and limited availability
    • c) Consumers avoid making decisions when faced with too many options
    • d) Consumers prefer familiar brands over unfamiliar ones
    View Answer
    Correct Consumers are more likely to respond positively when they receive something of value
  6. Which psychological principle explains why consumers often prefer a product because they perceive it as more expensive?

    • a) Perceived value
    • b) Price elasticity
    • c) Fear of missing out (FOMO)
    • d) Brand recognition
    View Answer
    Correct Perceived value
  7. The "halo effect" in marketing refers to:

    • a) The tendency for one positive attribute of a product to influence the overall perception of the brand
    • b) The ability to create a sense of urgency through limited-time offers
    • c) The use of sensory marketing to appeal to consumer's emotions
    • d) The process of adjusting the price to reflect demand
    View Answer
    Correct The tendency for one positive attribute of a product to influence the overall perception of the brand
  8. How does scarcity influence consumer behavior in marketing?

    • a) Scarcity has no impact on consumer purchasing decisions
    • b) Consumers are less likely to purchase a product that is scarce
    • c) Consumers tend to value products more highly when they are perceived as scarce or in limited supply
    • d) Consumers are more likely to buy discounted products
    View Answer
    Correct Consumers tend to value products more highly when they are perceived as scarce or in limited supply
  9. Which of the following is an example of "social proof" in marketing?

    • a) Offering limited-time sales to create urgency
    • b) Displaying customer testimonials and reviews to increase product credibility
    • c) Creating advertisements that show happy customers using the product
    • d) Providing coupons for frequent purchases
    View Answer
    Correct Displaying customer testimonials and reviews to increase product credibility
  10. What does the "anchoring effect" refer to in consumer behavior?

    • a) Consumers tend to rely heavily on the first piece of information they encounter when making decisions
    • b) The influence of a brand's reputation on purchase decisions
    • c) The tendency to buy products during specific seasons
    • d) The association between quality and price
    View Answer
    Correct Consumers tend to rely heavily on the first piece of information they encounter when making decisions
  11. Which of the following is an example of the "contrast effect" in marketing?

    • a) Offering multiple colors of a product to increase choice
    • b) Creating a sense of urgency through time-limited offers
    • c) Advertising a product with a celebrity to increase its appeal
    • d) Displaying a high-priced product next to a lower-priced one to make the latter seem more affordable
    View Answer
    Correct Displaying a high-priced product next to a lower-priced one to make the latter seem more affordable
  12. Which theory of motivation is commonly used in marketing to explain consumer purchasing behavior?

    • a) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
    • b) Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory
    • c) Skinner’s Operant Conditioning
    • d) Pavlov’s Classical Conditioning
    View Answer
    Correct Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
  13. How can the principle of "loss aversion" be used in marketing?

    • a) By using urgency as a motivator
    • b) By offering products in bulk at a lower price
    • c) By framing offers in a way that emphasizes what consumers stand to lose by not purchasing the product
    • d) By offering large discounts on rare items
    View Answer
    Correct By framing offers in a way that emphasizes what consumers stand to lose by not purchasing the product
  14. What is "priming" in marketing psychology?

    • a) The process of subtly influencing consumer behavior by exposing them to certain cues or stimuli
    • b) Offering a reward for specific consumer actions
    • c) The use of catchy jingles to increase brand recall
    • d) A strategy where consumers are incentivized to share their product experience online
    View Answer
    Correct The process of subtly influencing consumer behavior by exposing them to certain cues or stimuli
  15. What is "brand positioning" in marketing?

    • a) The use of celebrities in advertising campaigns
    • b) The process of determining the optimal price for a product
    • c) The process of creating a unique image and identity for a brand in the consumer’s mind
    • d) The decision to enter new markets based on product demand
    View Answer
    Correct The process of creating a unique image and identity for a brand in the consumer’s mind
  16. In the context of consumer behavior, what is "cognitive dissonance"?

    • a) The state of feeling satisfied after purchasing a product
    • b) The psychological discomfort a consumer feels after making a purchase that contradicts their beliefs or values
    • c) The tendency to recall positive information about a product after buying it
    • d) The effect of peer pressure on purchasing decisions
    View Answer
    Correct The psychological discomfort a consumer feels after making a purchase that contradicts their beliefs or values
  17. In consumer behavior, what is the role of "emotional appeal" in advertising?

    • a) To offer discounts based on loyalty
    • b) To provide detailed information about the product features
    • c) To trigger an emotional response that influences purchasing decisions
    • d) To highlight the technical specifications of the product
    View Answer
    Correct To trigger an emotional response that influences purchasing decisions
  18. What type of marketing tactic is often used to evoke "consumer nostalgia"?

    • a) Incorporating familiar cultural symbols, designs or themes in advertisements to trigger memories
    • b) Creating urgency through flash sales
    • c) Offering personalized discounts
    • d) Using social media influencers to promote products
    View Answer
    Correct Incorporating familiar cultural symbols, designs or themes in advertisements to trigger memories
  19. How does the "mere exposure effect" influence consumer behavior?

    • a) Consumers avoid products they see too frequently
    • b) Consumers tend to develop a preference for products they are repeatedly exposed to
    • c) Consumers are influenced by the price of products they see most often
    • d) Consumers choose products based on the first exposure
    View Answer
    Correct Consumers tend to develop a preference for products they are repeatedly exposed to
  20. What psychological principle is used in marketing when consumers are persuaded to buy a product after seeing it frequently in their social circle?

    • a) Social influence
    • b) Negative reinforcement
    • c) Cognitive dissonance
    • d) Scarcity effect
    View Answer
    Correct Social influence
  21. Which of the following is an example of "framing" in marketing?

    • a) Describing a product’s price as “$10 off” rather than “$50 for the product”
    • b) Offering a discount for returning customers
    • c) Using celebrity endorsements to promote the product
    • d) Creating an urgency-based promotion
    View Answer
    Correct Describing a product’s price as “$10 off” rather than “$50 for the product”
  22. What is the psychological basis for the "decoy effect" in consumer decision-making?

    • a) Consumers choose products based on the packaging
    • b) Consumers make decisions based on social influence
    • c) The introduction of a less attractive option makes the target option more appealing
    • d) Consumers are more likely to purchase items on sale
    View Answer
    Correct The introduction of a less attractive option makes the target option more appealing
  23. How does "reciprocity" play a role in consumer loyalty programs?

    • a) Offering rewards or gifts makes consumers feel obligated to return the favor by making purchases
    • b) Consumers are more likely to participate in programs that have limited-time offers
    • c) Rewards programs influence consumers through social media endorsements
    • d) Loyalty programs are based on customer feedback
    View Answer
    Correct Offering rewards or gifts makes consumers feel obligated to return the favor by making purchases
  24. What does the "contrast effect" refer to in marketing?

    • a) The process of creating urgency through scarcity
    • b) The impact of emotional appeal on purchase decisions
    • c) The effect of celebrity endorsements on consumer choices
    • d) The tendency for a consumer’s perception of a product to be influenced by surrounding products
    View Answer
    Correct The tendency for a consumer’s perception of a product to be influenced by surrounding products
  25. What is "price anchoring" in marketing psychology?

    • a) The practice of presenting a higher-priced product alongside a lower-priced one to make the latter seem more affordable
    • b) Offering a discount on the original price to make the product more attractive
    • c) Pricing a product based on its production cost
    • d) Creating a tiered pricing structure for the same product
    View Answer
    Correct The practice of presenting a higher-priced product alongside a lower-priced one to make the latter seem more affordable
  26. How does "scarcity marketing" influence consumer behavior?

    • a) Consumers perceive products as more valuable when they are limited in availability
    • b) Consumers avoid purchasing items when they are too scarce
    • c) Scarcity marketing has no significant impact on purchasing behavior
    • d) Consumers choose products based on price rather than availability
    View Answer
    Correct Consumers perceive products as more valuable when they are limited in availability
  27. Which of the following is an example of "anchoring bias" in consumer behavior?

    • a) A consumer chooses a product based on social influence
    • b) A consumer perceives a $30 item as inexpensive after comparing it with a $100 item
    • c) A consumer buys a product after seeing it frequently in advertisements
    • d) A consumer purchases based on brand reputation
    View Answer
    Correct A consumer perceives a $30 item as inexpensive after comparing it with a $100 item
  28. What is an example of "incentive-based marketing" used to encourage repeat purchases?

    • a) Offering loyalty points or rewards for each purchase
    • b) Providing discounts on products based on seasonal sales
    • c) Promoting a product’s eco-friendliness in advertisements
    • d) Using celebrity endorsements to build brand credibility
    View Answer
    Correct Offering loyalty points or rewards for each purchase
  29. How does "the scarcity effect" influence a consumer’s decision-making process?

    • a) Consumers prefer products that are constantly available
    • b) Consumers are motivated to choose products with longer shelf lives
    • c) Scarcity has no effect on consumer purchasing decisions
    • d) Consumers tend to perceive limited-time offers or products as more valuable
    View Answer
    Correct Consumers tend to perceive limited-time offers or products as more valuable
  30. Which of the following is an example of "loss aversion" in consumer behavior?

    • a) A consumer is more motivated to buy a product when they are told it’s the last item available
    • b) A consumer purchases more when there is a large discount
    • c) A consumer buys a product based on social media influencer’s recommendations
    • d) A consumer chooses a product based on packaging color
    View Answer
    Correct A consumer is more motivated to buy a product when they are told it’s the last item available

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