Robert Barsky
Professor of Economics
University of Michigan
at time of fellowship
2005 to 2006

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Robert Barsky, Professor of Economics at the University of Michigan, will examine the meaning and role of consumer confidence measures to determine whether sudden, unexplained shifts in consumer sentiment influence spending patterns and business cycles. He will look at why certain demographic groups display lower confidence in the future of the economy than others and will develop new survey questions to better gauge consumer attitudes.