1.2 How Markets Work Flashcards
What assumptions are made about the objectives of consumers and producers
Consumers - Make decisions to maximise utility
Producers- Make decisions to maximise profit
How does herd mentality may prevent consumers acting rationally
Herd like behaviour - Following the crowd
We are greatly influenced by consumption norms within the relevant group
How does habitual behaviour prevent consumers acting rationally
The ‘status quo’ bias is the tendency which individuals have of just sticking with their current situation
Often linked to individuals wanting to play it safe
How does computational weakness prevent consumers acting rationally
Consumers are not always willing or able to make comparison between prices and goods on offer
Prices and offers are often presented in ways where consumers find it difficult to do the mathematics required for comparison
Explain the concept of Diminishing Marginal Utility
Diminishing Marginal Utility means that when more of an additional good is consumed utility is reduced
Explain why the demand curve is downward sloping
As prices rise, fewer consumers can afford or are inclined to buy a good or service
As the quantity of consumption rises, the utility drops meaning consumers are only willing to pay less than before
What is an extension in demand
Prices falling along the demand curve
What is a contraction in demand
Prices rising along the demand curve
List the factors that affect demand
Population
Advertisement
Substitutes
Income
Fashion + Taste
Interest Rates
Complements
Explain why the supply curve is upward sloping
As prices rise producers have a greater incentive to produce more
List the factors that affect supply
Productivity
Indirect Taxes
Number of firms
Technology
Subsidies
Weather
Cost of production
What is meant by joint supply
When a rise in the output of one product leads to a rise in the supply of another product
What is meant by competitive supply
When an increase in the supply of one product leads to a fall in the supply of anotherwhat
what is meant by consumer surplus
The difference between how much buyers are willing to pay for a good and what they actually pay
what is meant by producer surplus
The difference between the price at which firms are prepared to supply and the price they receive
Represent consumer and producer surplus on a diagram
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