A | B |
capital | previously manufactured goods used to make other goods and services. |
capitalism | economic system in which private individuals own the factors of production. |
command economy | system in which the government controls the factors of production and makes all decisions about their use. |
competition | rivalry amoung producers or sellers of similar goods and services to win more business. |
economic efficiency | wise use of available resources so that costs do not exceed benefits. |
economic equity | the attempt to balance an economic policy so that everyone benefits fairly. |
economic growth | expansion of the economy to produce more goods, jobs, and wealth. |
economic model | a theory or simplified representation that helps explain and predict economic behavior in the real world. |
economics | the study of how individuals and societies make choices about ways to use scarce resources to fulfill their wants. |
economic system | way in which a nation uses its resources to satisfy its people's needs and wants. |
economy | the production and distribution of goods and services in a society |
entrepreneur | person who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business in order to gain profits. |
entrepreneurship | ability of risk-taking individuals to develop new products an start new businesses in order to make profits. |
factors of production | resources of land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship used to produce goods and services. |
goods | tangible objects that can satisfy people's wants or needs. |
hypothesis | an assumption involving two or more variables that must be tested for validity |
labor | human effort directed toward producing goods and services. |
laissez-faire | economic system in which the government minimizes its interference with the economy, leave alone. |
land | natural resources and surface land and water |
market | freely chosen activity between buyers an sellers of goods and services. |
market economy | system in which individuals own the factors of production and make decisions through free interaction, while looking out for their best interests. |
microeconomics | branch of economic theory that deals with behavior and decision making by small units such as individuals. |
macroeconomics | branch of economic theory dealing with the economy as a whole and decision making by large units such as governments. |
mixed economy | system combining characteristics of more than one type of economy. |
opportunity cost | value of the next best alternative given up for the alternative that was chosen. |
private property | whatever is owned by individuals rather than by government |
production possibilities curve | graph showing the maximal combinations of goods and services that can be produced from a fixed amount of resources. |
productivity | the amount of output that results from a given level of inputs. |
profit | money left after all the costs of production--wages, rents, interest, and taxes--have been paid. |
profit incentive | desire to make money that motivates people to produce and sell goods and services. |
scarcity | condition of not being able to have all of the goods and services one wants. |
services | actions that can satisfy people's wants or needs. |
standard of living | the material well-being of an individual, group or nation measured by how well their necessities and luxuries are satisfied. |
trade-off | sacrificing one good or service to purchase or produce another. |
traditional economy | system in which economic decisions are based on customs and beliefs that have been handed down from generation to generation. |
consumer | any person or group that buys or uses goods and services to satisfy personal needs and wants. |
disposable income | income remaining for a person to spend or save after all taxes have been paid. |
discretionary income | money income a person has left to spend on extras after necessities have been bought. |
rational choice | choosing the alternative that has the greatest value from among coparable-quality products. |
competitive advertising | advertising that attempts to persuade consumers that a product is different from and superior to any other |
informative advertising | advertising that benefits consumers by giving information about a product. |
bait and switch | ad that attracts comsumers with a low-priced product, then tries to sell them a higher-priced product. |
comparison shopping | getting information on the types and prices of products available from different stores and companies. |
warranty | promise made by a manufacturer or seller to repair or replace a product within a certain time period if it is found to be faulty |
brand name | word, picture, or logo on a product that helps consumers distinguish it from similar products |
generic brand | general name for a product rather than a specific brand name given by the manufacturer |
consumerism | movement to educate buyers about the purchases they make and to demand better and safer products from manufacturers. |
ethical behavior | acting in accordance with moral and ethical convictions about right and wrong |
installment debt | type of loan repaid with equal payments, over a specific period of time |
durable goods | manufactured items that have a life span longer than three years. |
mortgage | installment debt owed on houses, buildings, or land. |
finance charge | cost of credit expressed monthly in dollars and cents |
savings and loan association | depository institution that accepts deposits and lends money. |
savings bank | depository institution originally set up to serve small savers overlooked by commercial banks |
credit union | depository institution owned and operated by its members to provide savings accounts and low-interest loans only to its members. |
finance company | company that takes over contracts for installment debts from stores and adds a fee for collecting the debt. |
charge account | credit extended to a consumer allowing the consumer to buy goods or services from a particular company and to pay for them later. |
credit card | credit device that allows a person to make purchases at many kinds of stores, without paying cash. |
commercial bank | bank whose main functions are to accept deposits, lend money, and transfer funds among banks, individuals, and businesses. |
credit | receipt of money either directly or indirectly to buy goods and services with the promise to pay for them in the future. |
unsecured loan | loan guaranteed only by a promise to repay it. |
interest | amount of money the borrower must pay for the use of someone else's money. |
annual percentage rate | cost of credit expressed as a yearly percentage |
credit bureau | private business that investigates a person to determine the risk involved in lending money to that person |
credit check | investigation of a person's income, current debts, personal life, and past history of borrowing and repaying debts. |
credit rating | rating of the risk involved in lending money to a specific person or business. |
collateral | something of value that a borrower lets the lender claim if a loan is not repaid |
secured loan | loan that is backed up by collateral |
principal | amount of money originally borrowed in a loan. |
Avante garde | using this product puts the user ahead of the times. |
facts and figures | Statistics and objective factual information is used to prove the superiority of the product. |
Weasel Words | used to suggest a positive meaning without actually really making any guarantee. |
Magic Ingredients | some almost miraculous discovery makes the product exceptionally effective |
Patriotism | purchasing this product shows your love of your country. |
Diversion | Seems to tackle a problem or issue, but then throws in an emotional distraction. |
Transfer | Words and ideas with positive connotations are used to suggest that the positive qualities should be associated with the product and user. |
Plain Folks | the product is a practical product of good value for ordinary people. |
Snob Appeal | the use of the product makes the customer part of an elite group with a luxurious and glamorous life style |
Bribery | seems to give a desirable extra something |
Testimonial | A famous personality is used to endorse the product. |
Wit and Humor | Customers are attracted to products that divert the audience by giving viewers a reason to laugh or to be entertained by clever use of visuals or language. |
Simple Solutions | Avoid complexities, and attack many problems with one solution. |
Card Stacking | stacking the cards in favor of the product, stess the positive qualities and ignore negative. |
Glittering Generalities | uses appealing words and images to sell the product if you buy the item, it will change your life. |
Bandwagon | exploits the desire of most people to join the crowd or be on the winning side. |