In the context of the consumption schedule, the factors that typically shift it include changes in wealth, consumer incomes, consumer expectations about the economy, and expectations about future prices.
Let's analyze the options:
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A sharp increase in the amount of wealth held by households - This would likely increase consumption as households feel wealthier, shifting the consumption schedule to the right.
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A change in consumer incomes - An increase in incomes generally shifts the consumption schedule to the right, while a decrease shifts it to the left.
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The expectation of a recession - If consumers expect a recession, they are likely to reduce their consumption now in anticipation of future economic difficulties, shifting the consumption schedule to the left.
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A growing expectation that consumer durables will be increasing in price soon - If consumers expect prices to rise, they may increase current consumption to avoid paying higher prices later, shifting the consumption schedule to the right.
Given this analysis, all the options mentioned will cause the consumption schedule to shift, but the one that is least likely to cause a significant shift would generally be "a change in consumer incomes," depending on whether it refers to a permanent income change or just temporary fluctuations. However, that assessment can vary widely based on the specific context provided.
Nonetheless, since the other options clearly indicate shifts based on expectations or external economic factors, if we assume a stable economic environment, the answer can broadly be interpreted as "a change in consumer incomes" not reliably shifting the schedule in the same definitive manner compared to the other factors presented.
Thus, the best interpretation would lead us to not having an unequivocal answer, but preferably focusing on a change in consumer incomes as the one that can vary. In specific contexts, though, all listed options do cause shifts in the consumption schedule.