Explanation:

The Consumer Decision Processes (also known as Buyer Decision Processes) refer to the decision-making stages that a consumer undergoes before, during, and after they purchase a product or service.

John Dewey introduced 5 stages which consumers go through when they are considering a purchase:

• Problem or need recognition
• Information search
• Evaluation of alternatives
• Purchase
• Post-purchase behavior

This is the first stage of the Consumer Decision Process in which the consumer is able to recognize what the problem or need is and subsequently, what product or kind of product would be able to meet this need. It is oftentimes recognized as the first and most crucial step in the process because if consumers do not perceive a problem or need, they generally will not move forward with considering a product purchase.