Observe the Difference in Vending Machines Between Canned Soda and Newspapers

question 29

Essay

Observe the difference in vending machines between canned soda and newspapers. Typically, if you insert coins into a newspaper vending machine and open it you will see available all of the copies of the newspaper within one's reach. However, soda machines are very different. They work such that only one can is dispensed at a time. The rest of the canned soda is well out of reach. Explain in terms of marginal utility why the newspaper distributor is relatively unconcerned about the rest of the newspapers being taken without payment while the soda distributor uses a machine that goes to great lengths to insure that only one can of soda is dispensed at a time.

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Definitions:

Prosocial Behavior

Refers to voluntary actions intended to help or benefit another individual or group of individuals, such as sharing, comforting, or rescuing.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process in which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment, integral to behaviorist psychology.

Mirror Neuron Activity

The firing of neurons in the brain that occurs both when an individual performs an action and when they observe the same action performed by another, thought to be related to understanding intentions, empathy, and learning through imitation.

Imitative Yawning

The reflexive act of yawning in response to seeing, hearing, or thinking about someone else yawning.