Final answer:
Individuals who are more future-oriented tend to have lower discount rates and thus tend to invest more in education, which generally leads to higher earnings over their lifetime. The correct option in the final answer is A. lower; more.
Step-by-step explanation:
Compared to present-oriented people, individuals who are more future-oriented tend to have lower discount rates and consequently tend to obtain more education and earnings. Discount rates refer to how much individuals value future benefits compared to immediate ones. People with a lower discount rate are more inclined to delay gratification, investing in long-term goals like education. Consequently, these investments often lead to higher lifetime earnings.
Since future-oriented individuals prioritize future consumption and less present consumption (more savings), they likely see the opportunity cost of present consumption as greater, because it sacrifices greater future gains. The concept of human capital investment, which includes the costs of education, supports the idea that more education translates into higher future productivity and earning potential. Numerous studies have confirmed that returns on education frequently exceed those of other investments like Treasury bonds, which makes the pursuit of higher education a sound financial decision for many individuals.
Therefore, the correct option in the final answer to the student's question is: A. lower; more.