According to economic signaling theory, consumers may perceive the

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5) The passage suggests that Kirmani would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements about consumers' perceptions of the relationship between the frequency with which a product is advertised and the product's quality?

(A) Consumers' perceptions about the frequency with which an advertisement appears are their primary consideration when evaluating an advertisement's claims about product quality.
(B) Because most consumers do not notice the frequency of advertisement, it has little impact on most consumers' expectations regarding product quality.
(C) Consumers perceive frequency of advertisement as a signal about product quality only when the advertisement is for a product that is newly on the market.
(D) The frequency of advertisement is not always perceived by consumers to indicate that manufacturers are highly confident about their products' quality.
(E) Consumers who try a new product that has been frequently advertised are likely to perceive the advertisement's frequency as having been an accurate indicator of the product's quality.

This is what studies by Kirmani have found:

However, two studies by Kirmani have found that although consumers initially perceive expensive advertising as a signal of high brand quality, at some level of spending the manufacturer's advertising effort may be perceived as unreasonably high, implying low manufacturer confidence in product quality.

So likely Kirmani believes that consumers' perception is that high frequency doesn't always mean high confidence in quality.
Hence (D) is correct.

(A) Consumers' perceptions about the frequency with which an advertisement appears are their primary consideration when evaluating an advertisement's claims about product quality.
Kirmani's studies do not say that these perceptions are the primary consideration. They say that these studies do have an impact.

(B) Because most consumers do not notice the frequency of advertisement, it has little impact on most consumers' expectations regarding product quality.
Not correct. Kirmani's theory does talk about the impact of frequency on expectations.

(C) Consumers perceive frequency of advertisement as a signal about product quality only when the advertisement is for a product that is newly on the market.
Kirmani's studies do not talk about the distinction between familiar/unfamiliar brands. Economic signaling theory talks about it and even then it talks about what happens in case of unfamiliar products. It does not talk about whether the theory holds for familiar products or not (assuming familiar are old and unfamiliar are new which may not be completely valid)

(E) Consumers who try a new product that has been frequently advertised are likely to perceive the advertisement's frequency as having been an accurate indicator of the product's quality.
Kirmani's studies do not talk about consumers who actually try the product. They only talk about consumers' perception of the product.

Answer (D)
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Which of the following best describes the purpose of the highlighted sentence?
The purpose of the highlighted sentence is to explain a finding reported by Marquardt and McGann. It introduces Kirmani's research, which offers an explanation for an exception to the generalization suggested by Marquardt and McGann that heavily advertised products are associated with high quality. Kirmani's research suggests that there is a threshold of advertising spending beyond which consumers perceive excessive advertising effort as a sign of low manufacturer confidence, leading to less favorable brand perceptions. Therefore, the best option is (E) To offer an explanation for an observation reported by Marquardt and McGann.

The primary purpose of the passage is to
The primary purpose of the passage is to discuss how and why particular advertising practices may affect consumers' perceptions. It explores the economic signaling theory, which suggests that consumers perceive heavily advertised brands as high quality due to the investment made by manufacturers. The passage presents empirical support for this association but also introduces Kirmani's research, which provides exceptions and additional factors to consider, such as excessive advertising effort and the use of color in advertisements. Therefore, the best option is (C) to discuss how and why particular advertising practices may affect consumers' perceptions.

Kirmani's research, as described in the passage, suggests which of the following regarding consumers' expectations about the quality of advertised products?
Kirmani's research suggests that consumers' expectations about the quality of advertised products can be influenced by both the presence of color in an advertisement and the frequency with which it appears. Kirmani found that consumers perceive color advertisements as more expensive than black-and-white ones. As a result, the repetition of a color advertisement is perceived as excessive sooner than that of a black-and-white advertisement. Therefore, the best option is (B) Those expectations can be shaped by the presence of color in an advertisement as well as by the frequency with which an advertisement appears.

Kirmani's third study, as described in the passage, suggests which of the following conclusions about a black-and-white advertisement?
Kirmani's third study suggests that a black-and-white advertisement can be repeated more frequently than a comparable color advertisement before consumers begin to suspect low manufacturer confidence in the quality of the advertised product. The passage states that the recognition of higher costs associated with color advertisements leads to consumers perceiving excessive repetition of color advertisements sooner. Therefore, the best option is (A) It can be repeated more frequently than a comparable color advertisement could before consumers begin to suspect low manufacturer confidence in the quality of the advertised product.

The passage suggests that Kirmani would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements about consumers' perceptions of the relationship between the frequency with which a product is advertised and the product's quality?
The passage suggests that Kirmani would most likely agree with the statement (D) The frequency of advertisement is not always perceived by consumers to indicate that manufacturers are highly confident about their products' quality. Kirmani's research indicates that while consumers initially perceive heavily advertised brands as high quality, there is a point at which excessive advertising effort is seen as a sign of low manufacturer confidence. This implies that the relationship between advertisement frequency and product quality perception is not always straightforward and depends on various factors.

Why can't C be the Answer for question 3?
It says that for new brands the frequency is seen as good, but not for old brands, which essentially is what Kirmani's first two studies were all about.

Explanation is posted here

https://gmatclub.com/forum/according-to ... l#p2970737
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