The manner or path by which a consumer moves through the decision-making stages depends on several factors, including the level of involvement and extent of variety seeking, as follows.
LOW-INVOLVEMENT CONSUMER DECISION MAKING The expectancy-value
model assumes a high level of consumer involvement, or engagement and active processing the consumer undertakes in responding to a marketing stimulus.
VARIETY-SEEKING BUYING BEHAVIOR
Some buying situations are characterized by low involvement but significant brand differences. Here consumers often do a lot of brand switching. Think about cookies. The consumer has some beliefs about cookies, chooses a brand without much evaluation, and evaluates the product during consumption. Next time, the consumer may reach for another brand out of a desire for a different taste. Brand switching occurs for the sake of variety, rather than dissatisfaction.