Final answer:
The name Pepsi-Cola activates an attribute schema in consumers' minds that includes expectations about the product, leading to the correct answer being C) Attribute Schema Activation. The Pepsi candidate could win in a hypothetical Soft Drink Commissioner's election due to vote splitting among Coca-Cola candidates, or strong consolidation of voters preferring an alternative to multiple Coca-Cola options.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question "The name Pepsi-Cola can communicate expectations about product attributes by activating a schema" is C) Attribute Schema Activation. When consumers hear the name Pepsi-Cola, they activate an attribute schema in their minds. This schema comprises knowledge and associations with the brand, including expectations about the product's taste, quality, and other relevant attributes. By activating this schema, consumers are able to form expectations about the product before even trying it.
Regarding the hypothetical scenario of an election for a Soft Drink Commissioner, with one Pepsi candidate and four from the Coca-Cola party, there are a few reasons why the Pepsi candidate might win. One reason could be the vote splitting among Coca-Cola candidates, where the Coca-Cola vote gets divided among the four candidates, allowing the single Pepsi candidate to win with a plurality of votes. Another reason might be that the Pepsi candidate represents a strong and distinct choice for voters dissatisfied with Coca-Cola, thereby consolidating support and effectively mobilizing voters.