ECON 209 Chapter Notes - Chapter 31: Labour Market Flexibility, Capital Accumulation, Frictional Unemployment

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burgundygnat930

12 May 2013

School

McGill University

Department

Economics (Arts)

Course

ECON 209

Professor

Mayssun El- Attar Vilalta

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Document Summary

Over the span of many years, increases in labour force are more or less matched by increases in employment. Over the short term, however, the unemployment rate fluctuates considerably b/c changes in labour force are not exactly matched by changes in employment. Many existing jobs are eliminated and many new ones are created. In most years, enough new jobs are created both to replace old jobs that have been eliminated and to provide jobs for growing labour force. Result is net increase in employment in most years. During rapid economic growth, unemployment rate usually falls. During recessions or periods of slow growth, unemployment rate usually rises. Amount of activity in labour market is better reflected by flows into and out of unemployment than by overall unemployment rate. Unemployed are valuable resources who are not producing output; output not produced is a loss for society.

Related Questions

1. A financial crisis coupled with a recession seems to affect the severity and duration of the recession. How?

a. Financial crises tend to make recessions milder and shorter
b. Financial crises tend to make recessions milder, but last longer
c. Financial crises tend to make recessions longer and more severe
d. Financial crises tend to make recessions more severe, but shorter

2. The end of the Great Depression troubled a lot of people. Why?

a. It lasted so long that people actually missed it
b. It disappeared without any warning
c. It ended so slowly that the public thought that was no improvement
d. It never really ended; it was merely interrupted by World War II
e. President Roosevelt said that he had ended the depression, but he was lying
f. The end of the depression coincided with massive inflation

Suppose that you have been asked to compare the problem of bank failures during the Obama recession with the past. How does the number of bank failures in the Obama recession compare to the 1930s or the Reagan recession?

a. the Obama recession had far more bank failures than the Great Depression or the Reagan recession
b. the bank failures of the 1930s were the worst, but the Obama recession was second only to the Great Depression in bank failures
c. bank failures were more numerous in the 1930s and in the Reagan recession
d. many banks failed in the 1930s and the current situation is not quite as bad, but there were no bank failures in the Reagan recession

When we reach full employment in the U.S. economy today, what will the unemployment rate be?

a. 0%

b. 3%

c. 4% - 4.5%

d. 5.0% - 6.0%

e. 10%

5. Which type of unemployment includes a person who has given up looking for a job because he thinks it is just a waste of time?

a. frictional unemployment
b. structural unemployment
c. cyclical unemployment
d. seasonal unemployment
e. voluntary unemployment
f. discouraged workers

Choose the answer that fills-in both blanks: How good was the original fit of the data for the Phillips Curve for the U.S. economy in the 1960s? __________ How good was the fit of the data for the Phillips Curve for the U.S. economy after the 1960s? ______________
a. adequate/okay
b. adequate/very good
c. okay/not as good, but still okay
d. adequate/not good
e. very good/even better
f. very good/okay
g. very good/not good
h. very good/very good

In the 20th century, only two countries stood out in terms of robust job creation. The two countries were:

a. China and Japan
b. Germany and France
c. The U.S. and the U.S.S.R.
d. The U.S. and Japan
e. The U.S. and Germany

8. It is very common to see the unemployment rate actually increase as the economy begins to recover (i.e., after the trough). What causes the unemployment rate to rise at this time?

a. structural unemployment increases
b. cyclical unemployment increases
c. seasonal unemployment increases
d. voluntary unemployment increases
e. discouraged workers return to the workforce

Danish labor market reforms are referenced in the Commentary. These reforms attempt to make it easier for firms to hire and fire workers. Which of these two are easier to hire or easier to fire is the primary or critical dimension of the reforms?
a. hire workers
b. fire workers
c. neither hire nor fire workers; the reforms have nothing to do with either

10.

The original Phillips Curve depicted by Almarin Phillips sought to show a relationship between unemployment and _______________. Subsequent versions of the Phillips Curve usually depict a relationship between unemployment and ___________________.
a. real GDP / nominal GDP
b. nominal GDP / real GDP
c. changes in wages/changes in prices (inflation)
d. changes in prices/changes in wages
e. changes in employment/changes in new jobs created
f. changes in new jobs created / changes in employment
g. changes in hat sizes/changes in dress sizes

chocolatemuskrat416

QUESTION 1

Rosina Gonzales quit her job in Pennsylvania and moved to California to be close to her family. She is currently looking for work, so she would be considered

		frictionally unemployed.
		cyclically unemployed.
		a discouraged worker.
		seasonally unemployed.

1 points

QUESTION 2

Discouraged workers

		are counted as unemployed workers when the unemployment rate is calculated.
		would decrease the unemployment rate if they were added to the number of unemployed workers.
		are counted as one-half of a worker in the unemployment statistics.
		would increase unemployment rate if they were added to the number of unemployed workers.

1 points

QUESTION 3

In measuring the unemployment rate, part-time workers are ________ and discouraged workers are ________.

		included as employed; included as unemployed
		excluded; excluded
		excluded; included as unemployed
		included as employed; excluded

1 points

QUESTION 4

Mary has decided that the she does not like Iowa and has decided to quit her job as a medical technician and move to Arizona. Mary's unemployment as she searches for a new job is best classified as

		frictional.
		cyclical.
		structural.
		seasonal.

1 points

QUESTION 5

When a golf caddy in Minnesota (where golf courses close in the winter) is unemployed in December, it is most likely the case that the golf caddy is

		cyclically unemployed during long droughts.
		frictionally unemployed during spring and summer.
		structurally unemployed during spring and summer.
		seasonally unemployed.

1 points

QUESTION 6

After graduating from college, Yunis, age 22, started working for his parent's real estate business as an unpaid assistant. He works 25 hours a week helping manage rental units . In the Current Population Survey, Yunis is considered

		part of the labor force and employed.
		part of the labor force and unemployed.
		a discouraged worker.
		not part of the labor force.

1 points

QUESTION 7

The working-age population includes

		youngsters between the ages of 14 and 16 if they are working at least part time.
		only employed people over the age of 16.
		those in jails and hospitals.
		employed and unemployed people over the age of 16.

1 points

QUESTION 8

Involuntary part-time workers are workers who

		work less than 35 hours but would like to work full time.
		work more than 35 hours but would like to work less than 35 hours.
		work less than 35 hours by choice.
		work have lost their jobs within the last four weeks and are seeking another job.

1 points

QUESTION 9

Frictional unemployment is the result of

		the normal process of jobs being created and destroyed.
		an economic recession.
		people not getting along (having friction) with their employers.
		the economic decline of major industries

1 points

QUESTION 10

Bill just graduated with his degree in economics. Through Career Services he submitted his resume to several companies and he will visit them during the next two weeks. Bill is considered

		not in the labor force.
		cyclically unemployed.
		frictionally unemployed.
		structurally unemployed.

1 points

QUESTION 11

Harry works at the video rental store for 20 hours per week. He's asked his boss to allow him to work 40 hours per week, but has been told that business is too slow. Harry is considered

		an involuntary part-time worker.
		a marginally attached worker.
		a discouraged worker.
		not in the labor force.

1 points

QUESTION 12

Discouraged workers who are over 16 years old are

i.not counted as unemployed.

ii.part of the working-age population.

iii.part of the labor force.

		i and ii
		ii and iii
		ii only
		i only

1 points

QUESTION 13

Higher unemployment benefits create

		higher seasonal unemployment as workers switch jobs.
		a lower number of job leavers.
		incentives for longer job searches and higher frictional unemployment.
		incentives for shorter job searches and higher structural unemployment.

1 points

QUESTION 14

Seasonal unemployment includes people who become unemployed from

		changes in the business cycle.
		technological changes.
		the seasonal weather patterns.
		normal changes in the labor force.

1 points

QUESTION 15

Cyclical unemployment is

		higher when the economy is expanding.
		always greater than the total of structural and frictional unemployment.
		the total of structural and frictional unemployment.
		created by a recession.

1 points

QUESTION 16

Which of the following people would be classified as employed in the Current Population Survey?

		April, who just graduated from college and is looking for work
		Jason, who was laid off from work less than 6 months ago but who has stopped looking for work
		Rich, who is working 20 hours a week but wants a full-time job
		Misty, who just quit her job to return full time to school

1 points

QUESTION 17

People who are willing and able to work but are not looking for work because they have been discouraged by their previous futile efforts are called

		discouraged workers.
		involuntarily unemployed.
		part-time lookers.
		unemployed workers.

1 points

QUESTION 18

Discouraged workers are included in the calculation of the

i.unemployment rate.

ii.labor force participation rate.

iii.working-age population.

		i and ii
		i only
		iii only
		ii only

1 points

QUESTION 19

As firms search for the best employee to fill an opening and the unemployed search for the job that best fits their skills, the economy experiences

		changes in the business cycle.
		cyclical unemployment.
		frictional unemployment.
		structural unemployment.

1 points

QUESTION 20

Suppose the U.S. population is 275 million. If 210 million people are of working age, 135 million are employed, and 6 million are unemployed, what is the labor force participation rate?

		64 percent
		67 percent
		76 percent
		49 percent

1 points

QUESTION 21

During a recession the unemployment rate generally ________ and during an expansion the unemployment rate generally ________.

		rises; rises
		rises; does not change
		falls; rises
		rises; falls

1 points

QUESTION 22

In January of 2001, the population of the United States was 276.8 million, the working-age population was 210.2 million, the total number of people employed was 140, and the total number of people unemployed was 5.0 million. What was the labor force participation rate?

		56 percent
		69 percent
		78 percent
		67 percent

1 points

QUESTION 23

If Brian, age 24, had no job but was available for work and had looked for a job the week before the survey, Brian is classified in the Current Population Survey as

		unemployed.
		employed.
		a discouraged worker.
		not in the labor force.

1 points

QUESTION 24

Julie works part-time for economic reasons. She would be considered

		an involuntary part-time worker.
		not in the labor force.
		a job seeker.
		a discouraged worker.

1 points

QUESTION 25

Suppose the population is 300 million people, the labor force is 200 million people, the number of people employed is 185 million, and the working-age population is 170 million people. What is the unemployment rate?

		5 percent
		7.5 percent
		8.8 percent
		92.5 percent

1 points

QUESTION 1

Rosina Gonzales quit her job in Pennsylvania and moved to California to be close to her family. She is currently looking for work, so she would be considered

		frictionally unemployed.
		cyclically unemployed.
		a discouraged worker.
		seasonally unemployed.

1 points

QUESTION 2

Discouraged workers

		are counted as unemployed workers when the unemployment rate is calculated.
		would decrease the unemployment rate if they were added to the number of unemployed workers.
		are counted as one-half of a worker in the unemployment statistics.
		would increase unemployment rate if they were added to the number of unemployed workers.

1 points

QUESTION 3

In measuring the unemployment rate, part-time workers are ________ and discouraged workers are ________.

		included as employed; included as unemployed
		excluded; excluded
		excluded; included as unemployed
		included as employed; excluded

1 points

QUESTION 4

Mary has decided that the she does not like Iowa and has decided to quit her job as a medical technician and move to Arizona. Mary's unemployment as she searches for a new job is best classified as

		frictional.
		cyclical.
		structural.
		seasonal.

1 points

QUESTION 5

When a golf caddy in Minnesota (where golf courses close in the winter) is unemployed in December, it is most likely the case that the golf caddy is

		cyclically unemployed during long droughts.
		frictionally unemployed during spring and summer.
		structurally unemployed during spring and summer.
		seasonally unemployed.

1 points

QUESTION 6

		part of the labor force and employed.
		part of the labor force and unemployed.
		a discouraged worker.
		not part of the labor force.

1 points

QUESTION 7

The working-age population includes

		youngsters between the ages of 14 and 16 if they are working at least part time.
		only employed people over the age of 16.
		those in jails and hospitals.
		employed and unemployed people over the age of 16.

1 points

QUESTION 8

Involuntary part-time workers are workers who

		work less than 35 hours but would like to work full time.
		work more than 35 hours but would like to work less than 35 hours.
		work less than 35 hours by choice.
		work have lost their jobs within the last four weeks and are seeking another job.

1 points

QUESTION 9

Frictional unemployment is the result of

		the normal process of jobs being created and destroyed.
		an economic recession.
		people not getting along (having friction) with their employers.
		the economic decline of major industries

1 points

QUESTION 10

Bill just graduated with his degree in economics. Through Career Services he submitted his resume to several companies and he will visit them during the next two weeks. Bill is considered

		not in the labor force.
		cyclically unemployed.
		frictionally unemployed.
		structurally unemployed.

1 points

QUESTION 11

Harry works at the video rental store for 20 hours per week. He's asked his boss to allow him to work 40 hours per week, but has been told that business is too slow. Harry is considered

		an involuntary part-time worker.
		a marginally attached worker.
		a discouraged worker.
		not in the labor force.

1 points

QUESTION 12

Discouraged workers who are over 16 years old are

i.not counted as unemployed.

ii.part of the working-age population.

iii.part of the labor force.

		i and ii
		ii and iii
		ii only
		i only

1 points

QUESTION 13

Higher unemployment benefits create

		higher seasonal unemployment as workers switch jobs.
		a lower number of job leavers.
		incentives for longer job searches and higher frictional unemployment.
		incentives for shorter job searches and higher structural unemployment.

1 points

QUESTION 14

Seasonal unemployment includes people who become unemployed from

		changes in the business cycle.
		technological changes.
		the seasonal weather patterns.
		normal changes in the labor force.

1 points

QUESTION 15

Cyclical unemployment is

		higher when the economy is expanding.
		always greater than the total of structural and frictional unemployment.
		the total of structural and frictional unemployment.
		created by a recession.

1 points

QUESTION 16

Which of the following people would be classified as employed in the Current Population Survey?

		April, who just graduated from college and is looking for work
		Jason, who was laid off from work less than 6 months ago but who has stopped looking for work
		Rich, who is working 20 hours a week but wants a full-time job
		Misty, who just quit her job to return full time to school

1 points

QUESTION 17

People who are willing and able to work but are not looking for work because they have been discouraged by their previous futile efforts are called

		discouraged workers.
		involuntarily unemployed.
		part-time lookers.
		unemployed workers.

1 points

QUESTION 18

Discouraged workers are included in the calculation of the

i.unemployment rate.

ii.labor force participation rate.

iii.working-age population.

		i and ii
		i only
		iii only
		ii only

1 points

QUESTION 19

As firms search for the best employee to fill an opening and the unemployed search for the job that best fits their skills, the economy experiences

		changes in the business cycle.
		cyclical unemployment.
		frictional unemployment.
		structural unemployment.

1 points

QUESTION 20

Suppose the U.S. population is 275 million. If 210 million people are of working age, 135 million are employed, and 6 million are unemployed, what is the labor force participation rate?

		64 percent
		67 percent
		76 percent
		49 percent

1 points

QUESTION 21

During a recession the unemployment rate generally ________ and during an expansion the unemployment rate generally ________.

		rises; rises
		rises; does not change
		falls; rises
		rises; falls

1 points

QUESTION 22

		56 percent
		69 percent
		78 percent
		67 percent

1 points

QUESTION 23

If Brian, age 24, had no job but was available for work and had looked for a job the week before the survey, Brian is classified in the Current Population Survey as

		unemployed.
		employed.
		a discouraged worker.
		not in the labor force.

1 points

QUESTION 24

Julie works part-time for economic reasons. She would be considered

		an involuntary part-time worker.
		not in the labor force.
		a job seeker.
		a discouraged worker.

1 points

QUESTION 25

		5 percent
		7.5 percent
		8.8 percent
		92.5 percent

1 points

ECON 209 Chapter Notes - Chapter 31: Labour Market Flexibility, Capital Accumulation, Frictional Unemployment

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