Final answer:
It is not universally a) true that higher wages result in more hours worked; the relationship between wages and labor hours varies among individuals based on factors like employment status and the current labor market.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is not safe to assume that a higher wage will always encourage significantly more hours worked for all individuals. This is because wage incentives and their impact on labor supply can vary depending on several factors.
These factors include an individual's skill set, employment status (such as part-time or full-time), and current economic conditions.
Individuals with unique talents, skills, or training that are in high demand tend to earn more. Competition in the workforce influences wages, especially when many people are unemployed, leading those seeking work to accept lower wages in times where jobs are scarce.
In terms of hours worked, full-time workers often have a relatively fixed schedule and do not significantly alter their hours in response to wage changes, exhibiting an inelastic supply curve of labor.
Conversely, part-time or younger workers demonstrate more flexibility, adjusting their hours in response to wage fluctuations.