In a means-end chain, which level comes first?

The correct choice is attributes, as they represent the foundational elements in a means-end chain analysis. In this framework, attributes are the tangible or intangible features of a product or service that help consumers assess its usefulness or suitability for their needs. These attributes serve as the starting point in the means-end chain, as they provide the basic characteristics that consumers evaluate when considering a purchase.

Following attributes, consumers connect these features to functional consequences, which describe the direct outcomes or benefits derived from a product's attributes. After functional consequences come psychosocial consequences, which involve the emotional and social implications that arise from using the product. Finally, at the top of the chain are values, which reflect the deeper personal beliefs and motivations that influence consumer behavior.

Understanding this hierarchy is crucial, as it illustrates how consumers derive meaning and make decisions based on a product's attributes, ultimately leading to their underlying values.