P&G Critical Thinking 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A P&G brand claims: 'Our detergent removes 99% of stains in lab tests.' A consumer says it did not remove their stain. Which conclusion is MOST valid?
- The brand's claim is completely false
- Lab conditions may differ from real-world usage scenarios (Correct answer)
- The consumer used the product incorrectly
- The 99% figure refers to a different product
Correct answer: Lab conditions may differ from real-world usage scenarios
Lab tests are controlled environments, and results may not transfer perfectly to every real-world condition.
Question 2: Sales of a P&G shampoo increased 20% after a new ad campaign. A manager concludes the ad caused the increase. What is the WEAKEST point in this argument?
- 20% is too small an increase to be meaningful
- The manager did not run the campaign personally
- Correlation does not prove causation — other factors may have driven sales (Correct answer)
- The campaign was too expensive
Correct answer: Correlation does not prove causation — other factors may have driven sales
A sales increase coinciding with an ad campaign does not prove the campaign caused it without ruling out other variables.
Question 3: Which of the following is an ASSUMPTION, not a stated fact? 'P&G invested $500M in R&D last year. Therefore, its products will be more innovative next year.'
- P&G invested $500M in R&D
- R&D investment necessarily leads to innovation (Correct answer)
- The investment occurred last year
- $500M is a large investment
Correct answer: R&D investment necessarily leads to innovation
The conclusion assumes R&D spending directly produces innovation, which is an unstated premise.
Question 4: A study shows that consumers who use P&G products rate their satisfaction at 8.5/10. Which of these would MOST weaken this claim?
- The study was conducted online
- Only current P&G customers were surveyed, excluding those who stopped using the brand (Correct answer)
- 8.5 is below the maximum score of 10
- The study was published last year
Correct answer: Only current P&G customers were surveyed, excluding those who stopped using the brand
Surveying only current customers introduces selection bias, excluding dissatisfied customers who left the brand.
Question 5: P&G launches a new razor. After one month, returns are 3% higher than average. A manager says, 'We must pull the product.' What additional information is MOST needed?
- What the marketing budget was
- Whether 3% above average is statistically significant given typical variance (Correct answer)
- Who designed the razor
- How many units were sold in total
Correct answer: Whether 3% above average is statistically significant given typical variance
Statistical significance must be assessed before concluding the elevated return rate is a meaningful signal.
Question 6: Which argument structure is MOST logically sound for recommending a new P&G product line?
- Consumers like our other products, so they will like this one too
- Market research shows unmet consumer need, our product addresses it, and a pilot test confirmed demand (Correct answer)
- The CEO thinks it is a good idea
- Competitors have a similar product, so we should too
Correct answer: Market research shows unmet consumer need, our product addresses it, and a pilot test confirmed demand
A sound recommendation is grounded in identified consumer need, a solution, and validated demand through testing.
P&G Critical Thinking 1
A P&G brand claims: 'Our detergent removes 99% of stains in lab tests.' A consumer says it did not remove their stain.
Which conclusion is MOST valid?