Factors influencing consumption function

Answer 1

Factors determining consumption function Broadly speaking, there are two factors, which influence consumption function in the long run. They are 1. Subjective Factors.2. Objective factors. 1. Subjective factors:Subjective factors basically underlie and determine the form of the consumption; the subjective factors are internal or endogenous in nature. They mainly depend upon the personal decisions taken by the people. Keynes has listed eight main motives, which compel people to refrain from current spending. They are the motives of precaution, foresight, calculation, improvement, independence, enterprise, pride and avarice. In addition to these factors, he has also added a list of motives, which leads to consumption. "We could also draw up a corresponding list of motives to consumption such as enjoyment, short sightedness, generosity, miscalculation, ostentation and extravagance" Keynes. II. Objective factors Objective factors are those, which depends on merits and facts. In this case personal factors will not come into picture. The following are some of the important objective factors, which influence consumption. 1. Distribution of national income, 2. Fiscal Policy, 3. Money income, 4. Real income, 5. Price and wage level, 6.Changes in tastes and fashion, 7. Changes in expectations, 8. Windfall (Sudden) gains and losses, 9. The level of consumer Indebtedness, 10.Attitude towards thrift 11.Liquid assets, 12. Social and life insurances, 13. Rate of interest, 14. Business policies of corporations, 15 demonstration effect, 16. Changes in expectations, and 17 Installment buying, etc. The objective factors generally remain unchanged in the short period. Thus, propensity to consume in the short period is generally stable. It is because of this, Keynes places his reliance on investment for the purpose of increasing employment during depression.