A scientist who wants to predict the way in which consumers will spend their money must st

If an 【C3】______ were asked which of three groups borrow most—people with rising incomes, 【C4】______ incomes, or declining incomes—he would 【C5】______ answer: those with declining incomes. Actually, in the past, the answer was: people with rising incomes. People with declining incomes were next and people with stable incomes borrowed the 【C6】______ . This shows us that traditional 【C7】______ about earning and spending are not always 【C8】______ . Another traditional assumption is that if people who have money expect prices to go up, they will 【C9】______ to buy. If they expect prices to go down, they will postpone buying. 【C10】______ research surveys have shown that this is not always 【C11】______ The expectations of price increases may not stimulate buying. One 【C12】______ attitude was expressed by the wife of a mechanic at a time of rising prices. Her family had been planning to buy a new car but they postponed this purchase. 【C13】______ , the rise in prices that has already taken place may be resented and buyer's resistance may be evoked.

The 【C14】______ mentioned above was carried out in America. Investigations 【C15】______ at the same time in Great Britain, however, yielded results that were more 【C16】______ traditional assumptions about saving and spending patterns. The condition most contributive to spending 【C17】______ to be price stability. If prices have been stable and people consider that they are 【C18】______ , they are likely to buy. Thus, it appears that the common 【C19】______ policy of maintaining stable prices is based on a correct understanding of 【C20】______ psychology.

【C1】

A．data

B．materials

C．money

D．things