Showing posts with label First Law of Demand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label First Law of Demand. Show all posts

Monday, November 2, 2009

First Law of Demand and Divas


Textbook Definition: All else being held equal, an increase in the relative price of a good decreases the quantity demanded of that good; a decrease in the relative price of a good increases the quantity demanded of that good.

She-conomic Definition of First Law of Demand: Assume that a market exists for "dates with Rachel," and men are demanders of dates with Rachel. Suppose that Rachel is high-maintenance and that the "price" of a date with her is the dollar value of what she expects in a date: a fancy dinner, a movie, a ride in a BMW, a diamond ring, and a high-end dessert. If Rachel complains about not getting asked out, she can increase the quantity demanded of dates with her by becoming less fussy and accepting a lower price (e.g., dinner at a fast causal joint and watching a movie at home.)

Can you think of any Rachel- (or "Raymond"-) types, and if so, does the quantity of dates demanded with them seem to be inversely related to fluctuations in their "high-maintenance" level? If not, can you think of external factors unrelated to "price" that might affect demand for dates with certain individuals? (Econ 110 students: keep in mind the difference between change in "quantity demanded" and change in "demand--moving along a demand curve vs. shifting the curve in or out).