Answer:
- shifts in aggregate demand are often the result of waves of pessimism or optimism among consumers and businesses.
- the Fed can effectively respond to excessive pessimism by expanding the money supply and lowering interest rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Economic pessimism or optimism basically represent the general feeling that businesses and citizens of a country have about where the economy is heading. If the general feeling is that the economy is strong, there is said to be a general feeling of economic optimism. If the people and businesses believe that the economy will enter a recessive period, then there is a general feeling of economic pessimism.
The problem with economic moods is that they tend to be self fulfilling prophecies. If most people and businesses have a pessimistic view of the economy, they will start to prepare for a recession and the first thing they do is cut spending and increase savings. Since the largest component of the GDP is consumption, if spending decreases, then the GDP will decrease. By increasing the money supply and lowering interest rates the FED will try to increase consumption.