What is the economic principle that states people make decisions based on the benefits versus the costs?

The principle that states people make decisions based on weighing benefits against costs is known as cost-benefit analysis. This fundamental concept is rooted in the idea that individuals, businesses, and governments aim to maximize their utility or satisfaction. When making choices, they evaluate whether the expected advantages of an action or decision outweigh the associated costs.

In real-world applications, individuals often conduct a mental cost-benefit analysis when faced with decisions large and small, considering factors such as time, money, and potential risks. For example, when choosing whether to pursue a college degree, a person may weigh the potential lifetime earnings against the costs of tuition and lost income during the years spent studying.

The other economic concepts, while related to decision-making or market forces, do not specifically encapsulate the process of evaluating benefits against costs in the same way. Market equilibrium pertains to the balance between supply and demand in a market, comparative advantage relates to the ability to produce goods at a lower opportunity cost than others, and economies of scale involve cost advantages gained by increasing production. Each of these concepts operates within broader economic systems and scenarios, but the cost-benefit analysis specifically focuses on individual decision-making processes.