Psychological law of consumption

Answer 1

Generally it is observed that when income increases, consumption also increases but by a less proportion than the increase in income. Suppose the total income of the community is 10 crore and the consumption expenditure is also Rs 10 crore. In that case, there is no saving and investment. Further the income increases to Rs.15 crore. Then, consumption also increases, but not to the extent of Rs15 crore. It may increase to Rs14 crore and Rs 1 crore constitutes the savings. This savings create a gap between Income and Consumption. This gap is in conformity with Keynes Psychological law of consumption, which states that, when aggregate income increases, consumption expenditure shall also increase but by a somewhat smaller amount". This law tells us that people fail to spend on consumption the full amount of increment in income. As income increases, the wants of the people get satisfied and as such when income increases they save more than what they spend. This law may be considered as a rough indication of the actual macro - behaviour of consumers in the short run. This is the fundamental principle upon which the Keynesian consumption function is based. It is based upon his observations and conclusion derived from the study of consumption function. This law is also called the fundamental law of consumption. It consists of three inter related propositions: # When the aggregate income increases, expenditure on consumption will also increase but by a smaller amount. 2. The increased income is distributed over both spending and saving. 3. As income increases, both consumption spending and saving will go up. These three prepositions form Keynes psychological law of consumption. As consumption expenditure progressively diminishes when income increases, a gap between income and expenditure arises. This tendency is so deep rooted in people's habits, customs, and the psychological set up that it is difficult to change in the short run. Hence, it is impossible to raise the propensity to consume of the people so as to increase the national output, income and employment. Increasing the volume of investment in an economy can only fill up the gap between income and Consumption.