Marketing Ethics MCQs 2026

Marketing ethics case 14: bribing retailer for exclusive shelf block violates ethical marketing because it

1. A is acceptable if it increases short-term sales regardless of harm ✓
2. B requires no disclosure because profit is the only goal ✓
3. C corrupts channel fairness and harms competitors and consumers ✓
4. D should be repeated because competitors do worse only ✓

Marketing ethics case 9: exaggerated health claim on supplement ad violates ethical marketing because it

1. A is acceptable if it increases short-term sales regardless of harm ✓
2. B requires no disclosure because profit is the only goal ✓
3. C misleads consumers about benefits without scientific substantiation ✓
4. D should be repeated because competitors do worse only ✓

Marketing ethics case 5: fake online reviews for product launch violates ethical marketing because it

1. A is acceptable if it increases short-term sales regardless of harm ✓
2. B requires no disclosure because profit is the only goal ✓
3. C should be repeated because competitors do worse only ✓
4. D fabricates social proof distorting purchase decisions ✓

Marketing ethics case 3: selling customer data to third parties without clear consent violates ethical marketing because it

1. A breaches privacy and autonomy through non-transparent data use ✓
2. B is acceptable if it increases short-term sales regardless of harm ✓
3. C requires no disclosure because profit is the only goal ✓
4. D should be repeated because competitors do worse only ✓

Inclusive marketing ethically represents

1. A only one narrow demographic always excluding others ✓
2. B mockery of cultural groups for humor in ads ✓
3. C discrimination as selling point ✓
4. D diverse consumers without harmful stereotypes ✓

Code of ethics in marketing profession provides

1. A license to deceive customers ✓
2. B permission for bribery if profitable ✓
3. C guidelines for professional conduct beyond law ✓
4. D exemption from all regulation ✓

Whistleblowing on unethical marketing protects

1. A consumers and organization integrity long term ✓
2. B only wrongdoers from consequences always ✓
3. C zero public interest ever ✓
4. D mandatory fraud continuation ✓

Corporate social responsibility in marketing integrates

1. A social and environmental concerns into business operations ✓
2. B only shareholder profit with harm to community ignored ✓
3. C deceptive claims without action ✓
4. D illegal dumping promoted in ads ✓

Price gouging during emergency is considered

1. A exemplary ethical practice always ✓
2. B exploitative and unethical ✓
3. C required by marketing textbooks as best practice ✓
4. D identical to fair competition ✓

Cause-related marketing links brand to

1. A fake charity with no donation ✓
2. B social cause with transparent contribution mechanism ✓
3. C money laundering scheme ✓
4. D competitor sabotage ✓

Data privacy in ethical marketing requires

1. A selling personal data secretly without notice ✓
2. B unlimited tracking without opt-out ✓
3. C collecting only necessary data with consent and secure storage ✓
4. D fabricating consumer profiles illegally ✓

Bribery of retailer or official for shelf space is

1. A standard acceptable business globally without exception ✓
2. B required for all ethical companies ✓
3. C same as fair trade promotion ✓
4. D unethical and illegal corruption ✓

Predatory marketing to vulnerable groups such as children is

1. A always encouraged without limits ✓
2. B ethically problematic and often regulated ✓
3. C unrelated to ethics discussions ✓
4. D mandatory in all countries ✓

Greenwashing is

1. A transparent certified eco-labeling ✓
2. B honest carbon footprint disclosure ✓
3. C misleading environmental claims without genuine practice ✓
4. D verified sustainable sourcing audit ✓

Subliminal advertising ethics debate concerns

1. A fully transparent price lists ✓
2. B clear ingredient labels ✓
3. C hidden messages influencing consumers without awareness ✓
4. D open comparative testing results ✓

Consumer rights include safety, information, choice and

1. A being ignored by companies ✓
2. B mandatory purchase of all products ✓
3. C zero refund ever for any reason ✓
4. D being heard ✓

Puffery differs from deception because puffery is

1. A provably false specific claim about performance ✓
2. B subjective exaggeration not measurable as fact ✓
3. C hidden defect concealment ✓
4. D bribery of retailer ✓

Deceptive advertising is unethical because it

1. A misleads consumers with false or unsubstantiated claims ✓
2. B always improves consumer welfare honestly ✓
3. C is required by all regulators ✓
4. D eliminates all competition fairly ✓

Marketing ethics concerns

1. A only maximizing profit by any means ✓
2. B only legal minimum with zero moral consideration always praised ✓
3. C only factory machine maintenance ✓
4. D moral principles guiding marketing decisions and conduct ✓

Marketing ethics case 23: environmental claim without certification on packaging violates ethical marketing because it

1. A greenwashes without genuine environmental performance ✓
2. B is acceptable if it increases short-term sales regardless of harm ✓
3. C requires no disclosure because profit is the only goal ✓
4. D should be repeated because competitors do worse only ✓

Marketing ethics case 34: hidden fees in promotional pricing violates ethical marketing because it

1. A is acceptable if it increases short-term sales regardless of harm ✓
2. B requires no disclosure because profit is the only goal ✓
3. C deceives buyers about true total price of the offer ✓
4. D should be repeated because competitors do worse only ✓

Marketing ethics case 36: targeting sugary snacks ads heavily to schoolchildren violates ethical marketing because it

1. A exploits vulnerable audience unable to evaluate claims critically ✓
2. B is acceptable if it increases short-term sales regardless of harm ✓
3. C requires no disclosure because profit is the only goal ✓
4. D should be repeated because competitors do worse only ✓

Marketing ethics case 40: pressure selling to elderly vulnerable customers violates ethical marketing because it

1. A is acceptable if it increases short-term sales regardless of harm ✓
2. B requires no disclosure because profit is the only goal ✓
3. C should be repeated because competitors do worse only ✓
4. D uses undue pressure against consumers with reduced capacity to resist ✓