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| Education |
| Majors and Minors at ECH Both Economics of Consumers and Households and General Economics topics are possible. Types of economics: * Both empirical and theoretical; * Experimental and behavioural economics; * Institutionalist, neo-Keynesian , new home economics, neoclassical, social approaches, regional economics Doing your PhD or BSc/MSc thesis at ECH: "Since I joined ECH at the end of 2005, I have learned new things in my academic carrier, particularly in the area of economics. The interaction with members of the chair group broadens general knowledge and keeps one informed about Dutch life. The coffee and lunch breaks at ECH are important forums which enhance the spirit of harmony, encouragement and caring among ECH staffs and students. I consider ECH as my academic “household” where I carry out my academic work, socialize and share my emotions" Hirut Bekele. |
 Examples of PhD dissertations and BSc/MSc theses |
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| Research |
| The standard approach in economic research is the development of a model in which the actors react to stimuli, i.e., prices, expected utility of certain actions, etc., aimed at reaching particular goals. In this approach, behaviour of consumers, households and other actors is explained on the basis of a trade-off between (perceptions of) costs and benefits. The empirically observed behavioural relationships can be derived from the trade-off process relatively easily assuming rational behaviour and perfect information of the actors. Hence, it is not surprising that one started from this approach, and also not surprising that such strong assumptions did not always prove realistic in actual practice. Because of this reason more attention has been paid to the consequences of limited information and to the psychology of decision making. This development has enriched the microeconomic theory of household behaviour. In Behavioural Economics individual behaviour with respect to choice and negotiation is studied taking into account subjective factors, context and consequences of behaviour. Most research activities of ECH are conducted within the area of Behavioural Economics. This modern type of economic research has many applications, including the Wageningen themes of food, environment and households. Behavioural Economics is becoming increasingly popular, and Daniel Kahneman, one of the founding fathers of this area, has obtained the Noble prize (2002) for developing research in this area. |
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