Demand Concepts
What do economists mean by “opportunity cost?” What are your opportunity costs in taking this course?
Demand v. Quantity Demanded
What is the difference between a decline in the quantity demanded and a decline in demand? Give an example of something that you now buy less of. Is it an example of a decline in the quantity you demand or a decline in your demand?
Behavioral Economics
Traditional economic theory makes a number of simplifying assumptions that may not always be true, e.g., that people always make rational decisions that are in their own best interest. In recent years, a new subdiscipline of economics has emerged called behavioral economics that attempts to employ a more realistic set of assumptions about how people behave to explain economic decision-making.
Sample Answer
Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative that is given up when a choice is made. In simpler terms, it’s the benefit you miss out on when you choose one option over another.
My opportunity costs of taking this course include the time I could have spent on other activities like spending time with friends and family, pursuing hobbies, or working on other courses. Additionally, there’s the financial cost of tuition and materials.