ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Version 7ReadingHard
A patient is given a brochure about a new fitness program. The brochure states: 'Our program guarantees weight loss results, but individual results may vary.' What is the primary purpose of the phrase 'individual results may vary'?
- ATo legally protect the program from claims of false advertising.
- BTo highlight the personalized nature of the program.
- CTo encourage patients to set realistic expectations.
- DTo suggest that some participants may achieve better results than others.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. To legally protect the program from claims of false advertising.
The phrase 'individual results may vary' serves as a legal disclaimer. While it implicitly encourages realistic expectations, its primary function in a commercial context is to protect the advertiser from liability if a customer does not achieve the 'guaranteed' results, by acknowledging that outcomes are not uniform for everyone.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. It doesn't highlight personalization; rather, it acknowledges variability despite a general claim.
- C. While it does this, its *primary* purpose in advertising is often a legal one.
- D. This is true, but it's a consequence of the disclaimer, not its primary purpose for the advertiser.
Disclaimer: 'Results May Vary'
A legal statement used in advertising or product claims to acknowledge that individual outcomes can differ, thereby limiting liability for guaranteed results.
- Common in health, fitness, and financial products.
- Protects advertisers from legal challenges.
- Acknowledges inherent variability in human response or outcomes.
Memory trick: DISCLAIMERS are legal SHIELDS for advertisers.