A poll conducted by a national firm finds that most Americans say they care more about safety when buying a car than about fuel efficiency. As a result, a car maker produces a car with many safety features, but it doesn't sell well. This behavior
A) contradicts economic theory because the people didn't do what they said they would do.
B) contradicts economic theory because it is irrational not to purchase safer cars.
C) does not contradict economic theory because economists focus on what people do rather than on what they say.
D) does not contradict economic theory because economic theory only relates to prices and not to features such as safety.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Economic theory focuses on people's actual behavior rather than what they say they would do. Therefore, the fact that people may claim to prioritize safety when buying a car but then not actually purchase the safer car is not a contradiction of economic theory. Additionally, economic theory does not make value judgments about what features people should prioritize when making purchasing decisions.

A Poll Conducted by a National Firm Finds That Most