The Early Years: Information Overload and Quality Perception by Jacob Jacoby explores the crucial psychological factors that impact consumer decision-making, particularly in the context of information overload. Jacoby investigates how the flood of available information affects consumers' ability to evaluate products and make informed choices. This book introduces foundational theories on how consumers perceive and process information, and how this perception influences their purchasing decisions. Focusing on quality perception, Jacoby examines how consumers assess product quality and how their judgments are often shaped by external factors such as brand reputation, advertising, and even social influence. Through in-depth analysis, Jacoby sheds light on the dynamics of consumer behavior in the modern marketplace, where an excess of information can lead to confusion and hesitation. This book serves as a critical resource for marketing professionals, behavioral scientists, and researchers interested in understanding the psychological underpinnings of consumer behavior in an increasingly complex information environment.