Question

Nutritionists have recommended that people eat more fiber. Advertisements for a new fiber-supplement pill state only that it contains "44 percent fiber." The advertising claim is misleading in its selection of information on which to focus if which one of the following is true? (A) There are other products on the market that are advertised as providing fiber as a dietary supplement. (B) Nutritionists base their recommendation on medical findings that dietary fiber protects against some kinds of cancer. (C) It is possible to become addicted to some kinds of advertised pills, such as sleeping pills and painkillers. (D) The label of the advertised product recommends taking 3 pills every day. (E) The recommended daily intake of fiber is 20 to 30 grams, and the pill contains one-third gram.

Short answer

E is correct; the pill provides only a tiny fraction of the recommended fiber intake.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Problem

The problem is about identifying which statement makes the advertising claim misleading. The claim states that the pill contains '44 percent fiber.' We need to analyze whether the percentage conveys accurate or misleading information about the product's effectiveness in meeting recommended fiber intake.

Analyze Option A

Check if option A makes the claim misleading. Option A talks about other fiber products available in the market but does not address the completeness or adequacy of the given product's information. So, this option does not highlight misleading information.

Examine Option B

Option B gives a reason for why fiber is important but does not indicate that the claim about the pill's fiber content is misleading. It provides context on the importance of fiber but not on the pill's actual value.

Evaluate Option C

Option C discusses possible addiction to pills, which is unrelated to the fiber content or the adequacy of information provided by the advertisement. This option does not highlight how the fiber claim could be misleading.

Review Option D

Option D mentions the recommended dosage, but without specific information about the fiber amount per dose, it doesn't help in determining if the '44 percent fiber' claim is misleading.

Consider Option E

Option E states that the daily fiber intake should be 20 to 30 grams, but the pill provides only one-third of a gram. This indicates that despite the '44 percent fiber' claim, the pill provides a negligible amount of the recommended daily fiber intake, making the claim misleading in terms of its actual contribution to dietary needs.

Conclusion

Option E directly reveals that the fibers' percentage is misleading due to the small amount provided by the pill in relation to the recommended daily intake.

Key concepts

advertising claims

When companies market their products, they often use advertising claims to make them more appealing. These claims are statements made to highlight the key features or benefits of a product. However, these claims can sometimes be misleading.
In our context with the fiber supplement pill, the advertisement claims it has "44 percent fiber," which sounds impressive. But without further context, this percentage alone doesn't inform consumers about its real value or efficiency.
It's crucial to look at several factors when evaluating advertising claims:

• What specific information is highlighted?
• Is there any essential information left out that could change our understanding?
• How does the claim compare to recommended standards or daily needs?

Misleading advertising claims can influence consumer decisions by presenting only part of the picture, which is why critical evaluation is necessary before accepting these claims at face value.

nutritional supplements

Nutritional supplements like the fiber pill in our example are designed to enhance your diet. They're particularly popular for those who may not get enough nutrients from food alone.
These supplements come in various forms, such as pills, powders, or liquids. The key to their effectiveness lies not just in their ingredient list but how these ingredients contribute to meeting dietary needs.
When evaluating a supplement, consider:

• The amount of active ingredient per serving.
• Its bioavailability – how well the body can absorb and utilize the nutrients.
• Dosage recommendations and frequency.

In our example, the pill’s actual contribution to the daily fiber intake is critical. Just knowing it contains 44 percent fiber is not enough; we need to consider how this intake translates into real dietary benefits.

misleading information

Misleading information in advertising can occur when the information given paints an incomplete picture. This happens when certain facts are highlighted while others are downplayed or omitted.
The fiber pill example illustrates this well. The claim about the pill being 44 percent fiber might imply a significant benefit, but without context, it's tricky. If a consumer doesn’t realize that one pill offers only a tiny fraction of the recommended daily fiber intake, they might be misled into thinking they’re getting more health benefits than they are.
Consider these points to identify misleading information:

• Compare claimed percentages to actual, measurable daily needs.
• Check if the information explains the real effectiveness of the product.
• Look for any other conditions or recommendations that should accompany the claim.

Incomplete or selective information can mislead buyers, which is why transparency and full disclosure are essential in advertising.

critical thinking

Critical thinking involves analyzing and evaluating information before accepting it as true. This is especially important in contexts where advertising might not present the full story.
For example, when presented with claims such as the fiber pill’s "44 percent fiber" content, critical thinking can help consumers ask vital questions:

• What does this percentage actually mean in practical terms?
• How does this serving size fit into the overall daily recommendations?
• Is the same claim used in similar products, or is it a unique selling point?

Using critical thinking, buyers can avoid being misled by unrealistic expectations. It empowers them to seek out relevant details and compare these claims to factual, reliable evidence. By doing so, consumers can make well-informed decisions rather than solely relying on the allure of enticing marketing rhetoric.