A situation where one party in a transaction possesses more or superior knowledge compared to the other, often leading to economic inefficiencies.
Private Information
Knowledge held by an individual or group that is not shared with others involved in a transaction, often used for personal advantage.
Adverse Selection
A problem arising before a transaction when hidden characteristics allow one party to exploit their informational advantage, often worsening market outcomes.
Moral Hazard
A risk occurring after a transaction when a party alters their behavior, knowing they are protected or monitored less, potentially causing negative effects.
Lemon Problem
A market issue where buyers fear hidden defects in products, leading to reduced willingness to pay and fewer quality goods available.
Principal
An individual or entity that delegates a task to another, typically expecting the task to be performed in their interest.
Agent
A person or entity entrusted with carrying out a task on behalf of another, often with incentives or compensation.
Unobservable Characteristics
Attributes or qualities that cannot be easily detected or measured by other parties in a transaction, often leading to hidden risks.
Insurance Pool
A group of individuals sharing risk through insurance, where hidden information can make the group riskier than anticipated.
Premiums
Payments made for insurance coverage, which may increase when hidden risks or frequent claims are discovered.
Economic Transaction
An exchange of goods, services, or contracts between parties, often affected by the distribution of information.
Monitoring
The process of overseeing or supervising agents to ensure tasks are performed as expected, often imperfect in practice.
Willingness to Pay
The maximum amount a buyer is prepared to spend for a good or service, influenced by perceived risks and information.
Health Insurance
A contract providing financial protection against medical costs, often complicated by hidden health conditions among policyholders.
Risk
The potential for loss or negative outcomes in economic activities, often heightened by hidden information or behavioral changes.