As a rule, consumers do not use the benefits individually, but in some combinations (sets). A set is called the totality of a certain number of goods that are consumed together in a specific period of time.
The change in the value of one good, while the prices of the others remain constant, is always relative. In other words, one value rises in price (or becomes cheaper) relative to others. Price changes provoke changes in real consumer income. So, before lowering the cost, the consumer could acquire a smaller amount of good, and after lowering - a larger one. At the same time, saved funds may appear that can be used to purchase other goods. Thus, a change in the value of a certain value affects the demand structure in accordance with two directions: the volume of demand can change under the influence of changes in its relative value or real consumer profit.
The income effect and the replacement effect arise in the face of any change in price. This is due to the fact that the number of available goods, their relative cost, is changing. The substitution effect and the income effect are a consumer reaction.
In the first case, the structure of consumer demand changes in accordance with the change in the value of one of the goods included in the consumer set. The substitution effect provides that the consumer is reoriented from one value to another with an increase in the value of one of them. At the same time, another benefit will have similar consumer properties, but a constant cost. In other words, the substitution effect implies a consumer’s tendency to give preference to cheaper goods than more expensive ones. As a result, there is a decrease in demand for initial value.
The effect of income is called the impact on the structure of consumer demand by changing the real profit of the buyer, provoked by changes in the value of the good. When lowering the price of one product, there is some effect on the overall price level, which makes the consumer richer. Thus, he can acquire a larger quantity of one product without denying himself the acquisition of other goods.
For normal products (goods), these effects are summarized. This is due to the fact that a decrease in the price of goods provokes an increase in demand for them. So, for example, a consumer who has a certain unchanging income, acquires coffee and tea, which are normal goods. If we consider the substitution effect in this case, then it will reflect the following:
- a decrease in the price of tea will provoke an increase in demand for it;
- due to the fact that the cost of coffee will remain unchanged, this product will become relatively expensive (compared to tea);
- Rational consumers will replace relatively expensive coffee with relatively cheap tea, while demand for the latter will increase.
At the same time, lowering the cost of tea will make the consumer somewhat richer, that is, his real profit will increase slightly. The higher the profit level of the population, the higher the normal products and demand. Profit growth can be directed both to the purchase of an additional quantity of tea, and to the purchase of coffee.
Thus, in the same situation, both effects will act in the same direction. With a decrease in the cost of ordinary goods, demand for them will increase, and vice versa. The substitution effect will lead to increased demand. At the same time, the real profit of the consumer will increase. Thus, there will also be an income effect, also contributing to increased demand. In this situation, the law of demand is satisfied.
