John and Steve Are Roommates at Siberian University

question 16

Essay

John and Steve are roommates at Siberian University. They are planning to have a party this coming weekend and need to go shopping for snacks. They know all of their friends like nacho cheese flavored tortilla chips, so that is the only type of snack they plan to buy. After pooling their cash, they take $18 and head out to the nearest grocery store. Walking down the chip aisle, they fill their cart with 6 bags of Tostada brand chips at $3 per 14-ounce bag. Continuing down the chip aisle, they see Durango brand chips are available at $2 per 14-ounce bag, so they put all of the Tostada chips back and instead purchase 9 bags of Durango chips. Is John and Steve's behavior consistent with "the law of demand"? Explain. (Extra Credit: If they hadn't changed their minds, would they have violated the law of demand?)

---

Definitions:

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Psychological research and theorizing that attempts to account for the psychological differences between and within different cultural groups.

Cultural Practices

The customs, rituals, and behaviors that are shared and practiced by members of a particular cultural or social group.

Outgroup Homogeneity Bias

The sociopsychological phenomenon by which members of a group to which one does not belong seem more alike than do members of a group to which one does belong.

In-Group Favoritism Bias

The tendency for individuals to give preferential treatment and express more positive attitudes towards members of their own group as opposed to those of out-groups.