“Cultivation of Taste” and the Household Production Model

Abstract

Compared to the supply side, there are few theoretical studies for the demand side of arts and culture. In this paper, using Becker's household production model, we analyze the “cultivation of taste” caused by education and the effect of education on the demands for cultural goods. As the result of our analysis, the conditions for the increase of the demands for cultural goods are shown. Especially it is pointed out that education has different effects when it improves consumption abilities or professional abilities.