Behavioral Economics

November 10, 2014
More people vote when they believe it is a social norm.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at November 10, 2014
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The Difference That a Sticker Makes

Because "I Voted" stickers indicate voting is a social norm, like paying taxes or saving electricity, people are more likely to act like their neighbors.

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October 30, 2014
Everyday Economics: Changes in supply and demand for many reasons increased the price of chocolate.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 30, 2014
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Is Ebola Threatening the Price of Chocolate?

While Ebola fear caused raw cocoa futures prices to rise in September, its long term rise has been because of more demand from developing nations.

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October 29, 2014
Everyday Economics: Displaying a regression to the world mean, China's real economic growth rate might be less than most people expect.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 29, 2014
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How Chinese Economic Growth Relates to Restaurants and Pilots

China might not fuel world economic growth if instead of a 7 percent real GDP growth rate forecast, we use a regression to the mean of 3.9 percent.

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October 26, 2014
Everyday economics: A misery index number conveys the potential distress created by unemployment and inflation.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 26, 2014
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An Economist’s Definition of Misery

While a misery index shows a nation's inflation and unemployment rates, the eurozone's high unemployment might create disproportionate unhappiness.

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October 21, 2014
Because of new attitudes and economics, there is less supply of "marriageable" men and more valuable women in marriage markets.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 21, 2014
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Why There is Less Marriage

New attitudes that value marriage less and new economics through which women have more pay and education and men work less have changed marriage markets.

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October 16, 2014
aging population pyramids
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 16, 2014
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The Best Places For Growing Old

With populations growing older in the developed world, their wellbeing might affect the GDP growth rate because of the expense of their care.

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October 14, 2014
Everyday economics of LED bulbs
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 14, 2014
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The Unexpected Consequences of More Efficient Lighting

Like 19th century English coal, more efficient and cheap LED lights can mean people and businesses use it more because of the lower opportunity cost.

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October 12, 2014
Everyday economics and human capital formation
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 12, 2014
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When Does Practice Really Matter?

Since education creates positive externalities that fuel economic growth, understanding how to develop expertise through human capital formation is crucial.

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September 28, 2014
Everyday economics for government pension plan
Published by Elaine Schwartz at September 28, 2014
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When You Can Expect to Be Most Creative

Knowing about how and when creative people achieve optimal productivity is important because of the connection between human capital and economic growth.

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September 14, 2014
It would be beneficial for households and national economic growth if the U.S. saving rate were raised.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at September 14, 2014
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The Nudge Toward a Goldilocks Savings Rate

We need to raise the low U.S. savings rate with new incentives like a lottery on savings deposits because households and business investment need savings.

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September 3, 2014
Arthur Ashe Stadium
Published by Elaine Schwartz at September 3, 2014
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Using Prediction Markets to Catch Match-Fixing at Wimbledon

When supply and demand in tennis match prediction markets created illogical prices, researchers said that 3 matches at Wimbledon might have been fixed.

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