Many Television Shows Now Run as Many as 19 Minutes

question 106

True/False

Many television shows now run as many as 19 minutes of commercials per hour of programming.

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Definitions:

Self-Control Problems

Refers to the difficulty people have in sticking with earlier plans and avoiding suboptimal decisions when finally confronted with a particular decision-making situation. A manifestation of time inconsistency and potentially avoidable by using precommitments.

Time Inconsistency

The human tendency to systematically misjudge at the present time what will actually end up being desired at a future time.

Behavioral Economists

Economists who study the psychological, cognitive, emotional, cultural, and social factors on the economic decisions of individuals and institutions.

Precommitments

Actions taken ahead of time that make it difficult for the future self to avoid doing what the present self desires. See time inconsistency and self-control problems.