Suppose there are two types of people, high ability and low ability. A high-ability person's productivity is valued at wH = $100,000, while a low-ability person's productivity is valued at wL = $50,000. Assume that the employer does not know the ability of a job applicant, but knows that the probability of an applicant being high ability is 50%. Assume next that only high ability applicants can send a signal, i.e., obtain a degree. The employer pays the expected wage. i. What is the wage o er in a pooling equilibrium (no applicant attains a degree)? ii. What is the wage o er in a separating equilibrium (only high-ability applicants attain a degree)? iii. Suppose now both types can attain a degree, but it is costlier to attain for low-ability people and costs them cL = $60,000, while it costs high-ability people cH = $40,000. Is a separating equilibrium where only high-ability people send education as a signal possible? Explain.

Microeconomic Theory
12th Edition
ISBN:9781337517942
Author:NICHOLSON
Publisher:NICHOLSON
Chapter7: Uncertainty
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 7.3P
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Suppose there are two types of people, high ability and low ability. A high-ability person's productivity is valued at wH = $100,000, while a low-ability person's productivity is valued at wL = $50,000. Assume that the employer does not know the ability of a job applicant, but knows that the probability of an applicant being high ability is 50%. Assume next that only high ability applicants can send a signal, i.e., obtain a degree. The employer pays the expected wage. i. What is the wage o er in a pooling equilibrium (no applicant attains a degree)? ii. What is the wage o er in a separating equilibrium (only high-ability applicants attain a degree)? iii. Suppose now both types can attain a degree, but it is costlier to attain for low-ability people and costs them cL = $60,000, while it costs high-ability people cH = $40,000. Is a separating equilibrium where only high-ability people send education as a signal possible? Explain.

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