What is one impact of a recession on consumer behavior?

During a recession, the economy experiences a downturn characterized by declining GDP and rising unemployment. One of the key impacts of this economic environment is decreased consumer confidence, which leads to reduced consumer spending. When individuals and households face uncertainty about their financial future, they tend to cut back on expenditures, especially on non-essential goods and services.

This reduction in consumer spending is a behavioral response to the fear of job losses or decreased income, prompting consumers to prioritize saving over spending. As a result, overall demand in the economy declines, which can further exacerbate the recession. Therefore, the choice highlighting decreased consumer confidence and spending accurately reflects the typical behavior observed during recessionary periods.