Question

The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Vance Packard’s The Hidden Persuaders alerted the public to the psychoanalytical techniques used by the advertising industry. Its premise was that advertising agencies were using depth interviews to identify hidden consumer motivations, which were then used to entice consumers to buy goods. Critics and reporters often wrongly assumed that Packard was writing mainly about subliminal advertising. Packard never mentioned the word subliminal, however, and devoted very little space to discussions of “subthreshold” effects. Instead, his views largely aligned with the notion that individuals do not always have access to their conscious thoughts and can be persuaded by supraliminal messages without their knowledge.

• A. Packard argued that advertising as a ‘hidden persuasion’ understands the hidden motivations of consumers and works at the subliminal level, on the subconscious level of the awareness of the people targeted.
• B. Packard argued that advertising as a ‘hidden persuasion’ works at the supraliminal level, wherein the people targeted are aware of being persuaded, after understanding the hidden motivations of consumers and works.
• C. Packard held that advertising as a ‘hidden persuasion’ builds on peoples’ conscious thoughts and awareness, by understanding the hidden motivations of consumers and works at the subliminal level.
• D. Packard held that advertising as a ‘hidden persuasion’ understands the hidden motivations of consumers and works at the supraliminal level, though the people targeted have no awareness of being persuaded.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Let's summarize points:

Option 3: This option is ruled out because it mentions subliminal images, whereas the passage emphasizes Packard's belief in supraliminal images.

Option 1: Similar to option 3, this option mentions subliminal messages, which is not aligned with Packard's emphasis on supraliminal images.

Option 4: This option correctly states that people are not aware, aligning with Packard's belief in supraliminal images.

Option 2: This option is rejected as it suggests people are aware, which contradicts the information presented in the passage.

Your careful consideration of the choices in relation to Packard's beliefs and the information in the passage led you to the correct conclusion that Option 4 is the best choice.