Behavioral Economics and the Federal Trade Commission

22 Pages Posted: 10 Feb 2008

Date Written: December 12, 2007

Abstract

This paper discusses the relevance of behavioral economics to consumer protection policy, especially to that practiced at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. It finds that a good deal of the decision-making approach utilized at the Commission - as guided by the conventional economic model based on neoclassical principles - fits under the broad framework of what is commonly referred to as behavioral economics. This is especially so in regard to the primacy given to determining how consumers utilize information in the formulation of consumer policy. As a result, the contribution of behavioral economics to consumer protection policy has so far been quite limited. Its impact on future consumer policy will most likely come through improvements in empirical methods used to analyze the behavior of consumers, and in the development of ways to communicate more effectively with them.

Keywords: behavioral economics, consumer protection, FTC

JEL Classification: A12, D18, K20

Suggested Citation

Mulholland, Joseph P., Behavioral Economics and the Federal Trade Commission (December 12, 2007). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1091745 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1091745

Joseph P. Mulholland (Contact Author)

Westport63 Consulting ( email )

8a Stanley Drive
Catonsville, MD 21228-5045
United States
(443) 610-9829 (Phone)

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