Social Economics

Social economics is a branch of economics that focuses on the relationship between social behavior and economics. It examines how social norms, ethics, emerging popular sentiments, and other social philosophies influence consumer behavior and shape public buying trends. It uses history, current events, politics, and other social sciences to predict potential results from changes to society or the economy.

Social economic theories may differ from conventional beliefs about economics. Traditional schools of thought often assume that actors are self-interested and make rational decisions. Social economic theories often consider subject matter outside the focus of mainstream economics, including the effect of the environment and ecology on consumption and wealth.

Social economics also referred to as socioeconomics, is concerned with the relationship between social and economic factors within society. These factors influence how a particular group or socioeconomic class behaves within society, including their actions as consumers. Different socioeconomic classes may have different priorities regarding how they direct their funds.

Certain goods or services may be considered unavailable to specific classes based on their own perceived ability to afford them and their income. These goods or services can include access to more advanced or complete medical care, educational opportunities, and the ability to buy food that meets specific nutritional guidelines.

• Social economics focuses on the relationship between social behavior and economics.
• The societal influences on consumer behavior and shapes public buying trends is a focus of social economics.
• An individual’s socioeconomic status shapes their beliefs and attitudes.
• Individuals from more affluent social classes will likely have more opportunity to achieve higher education, as is expected by peers and other members of their class.
• An individual existing at the poverty level may hold the irrational belief that higher education is unattainable, and the individual's socioeconomic group may reinforce this belief.

A socioeconomic class is a group of people with similar characteristics. These characteristics can include social and economic standing, level of education, current profession, and ethnic background or heritage.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), an individual’s socioeconomic status can significantly impact their beliefs and attitudes, such as perceptions of available opportunities and beliefs in life directions. For example, an individual from an affluent social class will likely have a greater opportunity to achieve higher education and may be expected to pursue such a goal by peers and other members of their class. Completing higher education is more likely to increase your income potential, as well as provide opportunities to interact with people of similar or more advanced social standing and build beneficial social networks.

In contrast, an individual existing at or below the poverty level may hold an irrational belief that higher education is unattainable, a conviction that may also be reinforced by the individual's peers within the same socioeconomic group. This belief can result in fewer and less rewarding employment opportunities and, effectively, restrict that person's growth potential within society.

Studies conducted by the Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics found that children from low-income families generally do not have the same opportunities available to them as children from middle- or high-income families. For example, low-income families may not be able to pay for their children's participation in team sports, music lessons, or private tutoring, which can propel them toward achieving a prosperous future as well as provide them with growing confidence to take on more challenges. Also, these children may attend overcrowded schools where education is underfunded, understaffed, or considered inferior; thus, seeing no way to take the path to a better future, they likely accept their economic condition as permanent. Similar to their family and peers, many will not even consider a post-high school education and be unlikely to break through the poverty level as adults.