A lonely consumer who is too busy meeting critical needs to think about having a social life most likely has a(n) ________.

A) motive
B) latent need
C) apparent want
D) unrecognized want

A latent need is an unfulfilled desire that the consumer may not be aware of due to other pressing priorities, such as meeting basic needs like food, shelter, and safety. In this context, the lonely consumer is likely too preoccupied with meeting critical needs to recognize that they have a latent need for social interaction.