Final answer:
The statement that consumer decision-making follows a strict systematic order is false. The process is complex and can vary, involving various factors and potential changes in preferences. Decision-making can be cyclical and non-predictable, as demonstrated by voting cycle phenomena.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that the decision-making process of consumers strictly follows a systematic order which cannot be interchanged is false. Consumers go through a complex process of decision making which involves evaluating alternatives, considering costs, and predicting the utility or happiness they will derive from their choices. This can vary widely among individuals and situations. The steps involved in the decision-making process may not necessarily follow a strict order and can overlap or be revisited as consumers gather more information and reassess their preferences.
Consumers do not make choices simply based on a method like "eeny, meeny, miney, moe." Instead, their processes are more educated and consider factors such as price, personal value, and trade-offs. For example, a consumer might decide to buy a little more of one item by giving up a little of something else, revealing that there are numerous factors at play, such as budget constraints and marginal utility, that can influence decisions in a non-linear fashion.
Additionally, the phenomenon in voting cycles where a majority can prefer policy A over policy B, policy B over policy C, but also prefer policy C over policy A, shows that outcomes can be non-conclusive and cyclical, further indicating that decision-making processes are not always systematic or predictable.