Dismal dating: A student’s guide to romance using the economic way of thinking

Publication Date

1-1-2020

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Private Enterprise

Volume

35

Issue

3

First Page

93

Last Page

108

Abstract

As professors of economics, we meet our students at a time when romantic relationships preoccupy much of their time and thought. Why not build on an interest they already have to introduce economic principles? Research shows that students retain new knowledge better when they can relate it to their own experience. Here, we use examples that students who are looking for love will find familiar and show them how economics influences their dating behavior. We provide both discussion prompts and media resources to reinforce these principles.

Keywords

Dating, Economic way of thinking, Elasticity of demand, Marginal thinking, Opportunity costs, Sunk costs, Unintended consequences

Department

Economics

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