Some Economists Have Argued That Path Dependence and Switching Costs

question 2

Multiple Choice

Some economists have argued that path dependence and switching costs can lead to market failure.Which of the following is an example of this argument?

• A)Costly celebrity endorsements lead many consumers to buy a product even though it is more expensive or less effective than a product that is not endorsed by a celebrity.
• B)A consumer who won a lottery for a Super Bowl ticket refuses to sell it for $3,000 even though he would not have paid $3,000 for a ticket if he had not won the lottery.
• C)While playing the ultimate game, an allocator decides to share $20 equally with a recipient rather than keep the $20 for herself.
• D)VHS video recorders became more popular with consumers than Sony Betamax recorders even though the Betamax recorders embodied a superior technology.

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Definitions:

Objectively Determined

Describes a value or decision made based on factual and unbiased criteria, removing personal feelings or opinions.

Indifference Schedule

An indifference schedule is a table or graph representing combinations of two goods among which a consumer is indifferent, showing how much of one good the consumer is willing to give up to obtain more of the other good.

Willingness

The readiness or inclination of a person to do something or to act in a certain way, often used in economic contexts to discuss willingness to pay.

Marginal Utility

The incremental benefit or satisfaction a buyer obtains from the consumption of one more unit of a good or service.