Test: Consumer Behaviour: Utility Analysis - UGC NET MCQ

• Assertion (A): The statement is correct because total utility typically increases with additional consumption of a product until reaching a saturation point.
• Reason (R): This statement is also correct as marginal utility can indeed turn negative when the consumption of a product exceeds a certain limit, leading to decreased satisfaction.
• However, Reason (R) does not explain Assertion (A) because the total utility can still increase even when marginal utility is negative, as total utility is an aggregate measure that reflects overall satisfaction from all units consumed.
• Therefore, both statements are true, but the reason provided does not serve as a correct explanation for the assertion.

Utility is defined as the satisfaction or benefit that a person derives from consuming a good or service. This concept is crucial in understanding how and why consumers make choices in the marketplace. For instance, different consumers may derive different levels of utility from the same product based on their preferences and needs. This subjective nature of utility is a fundamental aspect of consumer demand theory. A notable point is that the concept of utility also leads to discussions about diminishing marginal utility, where the additional satisfaction gained from consuming more of a good decreases with each additional unit consumed.

Utility analysis primarily focuses on understanding consumer behavior, particularly how individuals make purchasing decisions based on the satisfaction or utility they derive from consuming goods. By analyzing these behaviors, economists can better predict market demand and consumer preferences. An interesting fact is that utility can vary significantly among individuals, as it is subjective and influenced by personal tastes and experiences.

Statement 1 is correct because it accurately describes the application of the law of equi-marginal utility in consumer behavior, highlighting that consumers achieve maximum satisfaction by equalizing the marginal utility per unit of currency across different goods.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The law of equi-marginal utility in production states that to maximize profit, producers should allocate resources so that the marginal productivity of each factor of production is equal. Therefore, the correct response is Option A: 1 Only.

- The Assertion is true because the law of equi-marginal utility indeed describes how consumers maximize their utility by equating the marginal utility per unit of expenditure across different goods.

- The Reason is also true; however, it does not accurately explain the assertion. The law actually assumes that consumers aim for a balance of utility across goods, rather than suggesting that varying preferences lead to changes in utility.

- Thus, since both statements are true but the reason does not correctly explain the assertion, the correct answer is Option A.

Both statements are correct.

Statement 1 reflects the reality that when consumers cannot access goods that provide the highest satisfaction (utility), they must settle for alternatives that are less satisfying. This scenario highlights the challenges posed by shortages in the market.

Statement 2 accurately describes how consumer ignorance can limit awareness of better options, such as cheaper substitutes. This lack of knowledge can prevent consumers from making informed decisions that would maximize their overall satisfaction or utility.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C, as both statements are true.

- The Assertion (A) is true because the cardinal utility approach indeed measures utility in monetary terms, indicating how much money a consumer is willing to sacrifice for a product.

- The Reason (R) is also true, but it incorrectly states the relationship. A higher price paid would imply a higher utility derived, not lower. Thus, while both statements are accurate, the reason does not correctly explain the assertion.

- Therefore, the correct choice is Option B: both Assertion and Reason are true, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Utility in economics is defined as the satisfaction or pleasure that a consumer derives from consuming a product or service. This means that different individuals may experience varying levels of utility from the same item based on their personal preferences and circumstances. For example, a smoker finds significant utility in cigarettes, while a non-smoker may derive none at all. This highlights the subjective nature of utility, emphasizing that personal satisfaction can differ widely among individuals.

- The Assertion is correct because ordinal economists do believe that utility is subjective and cannot be measured in cardinal numbers.

- The Reason is also correct as the ordinal approach indeed focuses on ranking commodities based on the utility they provide.

- Furthermore, the Reason explains the Assertion correctly, as the ranking of utility is a core component of the ordinal approach, reinforcing the initial claim about the subjectivity of utility.

Utility being subjective means that its value varies from person to person, depending on their unique desires and experiences. For example, a product that one individual finds immensely satisfying may not hold the same value for another. This subjectivity is fundamental in economics as it explains why different consumers may react differently to the same good or service, leading to diverse market behaviors. An interesting fact is that this concept of subjective utility is foundational in understanding consumer choice theory, which explores how individuals make decisions based on personal satisfaction rather than objective measures.