Freakonomics Chapters 1 & 2 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Where was the daycare center that was studied in Chapter One?

Haifa, Israel

How much money were the Haifa parents fined?

How many people per week were late to the daycare center?

What is economics?

A study of incentives Signup and view all the answers

Who is Milton Friedman?

Introduced automatic tax withholding Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of incentives?

Economic, social, and moral Signup and view all the answers

Who is Manuel Eisner?

A scholar who studied crime rates in Europe Signup and view all the answers

Who said: 'So inscrutable is the arrangement of causes and consequences in this world that a two-penny duty on tea, unjustly imposed in a sequestered part of it, changed the condition of all its inhabitants.'?

Thomas Jefferson Signup and view all the answers

What happened when researchers changed the incentives for blood donation in the 1970s?

Swapped an economic incentive for a functional moral incentive Signup and view all the answers

Who said: 'A thing worth having is a thing worth cheating for.'?

W.C. Fields Signup and view all the answers

How many children disappeared in 1987?

7 million Signup and view all the answers

Which school system was studied by Levitt and Dubner?

The Chicago Public School System Signup and view all the answers

Why is high-stakes testing a big deal now?

No Child Left Behind (2002) Signup and view all the answers

How many Chicago classrooms cheated?

5% Signup and view all the answers

When interviewed, what percentage of teachers reported cheating by their colleagues?

35% Signup and view all the answers

Who is Arne Duncan?

The CEO of CPSS Signup and view all the answers

How many classrooms were tested by Duncan?

120 Signup and view all the answers

How much did cheating fall by after the tests?

30% Signup and view all the answers

At which university did Jim Harrick Jr. oversimplify tests?

The University of Georgia Signup and view all the answers

What are three examples of cheating to lose?

2002 Winter Olympics, White Sox, City College of New York Signup and view all the answers

Who said: 'If you're not cheating, you're not trying.'?

Mark Grace Signup and view all the answers

Who is Paul Feldman?

The economist who studied white collar crime Signup and view all the answers

Who created the 'Beer on the Beach' study?

Richard Thaler Signup and view all the answers

What example was provided at the end of Chapter One to illustrate Feldman's viewpoint?

Glaucon and the Ring of Gyges Signup and view all the answers

Which economist did Feldman agree with?

Adam Smith and his Theory of Moral Sentiments Signup and view all the answers

Where was the KKK founded?

Pulaski, Tennessee Signup and view all the answers

Where does the KKK name come from?

kuklos Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Daycare Center Study

Study conducted at a daycare center located in Haifa, Israel.
Parents were fined $3 for late pickups, impacting student attendance patterns.
On average, 8 children were reported late at the daycare each week.

Definition of Economics

Economics defined as the study of incentives influencing behavior and decision-making.

Influential Economists

Milton Friedman known for introducing automatic tax withholding in economic practices.
Manuel Eisner recognized for his scholarship on crime rates across European nations.

Key Quotes and Perspectives

Thomas Jefferson noted the far-reaching effects of even small economic policies.
W.C. Fields remarked that desirable outcomes can tempt unethical behavior.

Blood Donation Incentives

In the 1970s, researchers altered blood donation strategies, shifting from economic to moral incentives.

Cheating in Education

High-stakes testing emerged as a significant theme due to the No Child Left Behind Act implemented in 2002.
In Chicago Public Schools, approximately 5% of classrooms were identified as engaging in cheating.
During interviews, 35% of teachers acknowledged witnessing cheating by peers.

Arne Duncan's Role

Arne Duncan served as the CEO of the Chicago Public School System and oversaw the testing of 120 classrooms where cheating was prevalent.
Post-testing, instances of cheating reduced by 30%.

Examples of Cheating

Notable cheating incidents include the 2002 Winter Olympics, the Chicago White Sox, and City College of New York sports events.
Mark Grace's quote emphasizes a belief that attempting to win is synonymous with ethical compromise.

Studies on White Collar Crime

Paul Feldman conducted research analyzing behaviors related to white-collar crime.
Richard Thaler developed the "Beer on the Beach" study exploring economic behaviors in social contexts.

Philosophical Context

Glaucon’s Ring of Gyges used as an example aligned with Feldman’s perspective on morality and temptation.
Feldman’s viewpoint aligns with Adam Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments, illustrating economic behavior reflections.

KKK Origins and Counteractions

The Ku Klux Klan was founded in Pulaski, Tennessee, derived from the Greek word "kuklos."
Stetson Kennedy and Drew Pearson challenged the KKK through their publication, "The Klan Unmasked."
SCJ Louis D. Brandeis emphasized transparency as a method for combating corruption.

Information Asymmetry

Defined as a situation where one party holds more or superior information than another, creating power imbalances in negotiations or decisions.

Housing Quality Indicators

Terms suggesting high-quality housing often include "granite," "state-of-the-art," "corian," "maple," and "gourmet."

Racism in Politics

Senators Trent Lott and Strom Thurmond recognized for their racist affiliations and actions.

Cultural Discrimination

Analyzed the game show "The Weakest Link," identifying that contestants who were Hispanic and elderly faced taste and information-based discrimination.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the key concepts and facts from Chapters 1 and 2 of Freakonomics. This quiz includes important definitions and statistics that illustrate the book's economic insights. Perfect for anyone looking to solidify their understanding of the material.