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Rational Habit Formation: Experimental Evidence from Handwashing in India

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  • Reshmaan Hussam
  • Atonu Rabbani
  • Giovanni Reggiani
  • Natalia Rigol

Abstract

We test the predictions of the rational addiction model, reconceptualized as rational habit formation, in the context of handwashing in rural India. To track handwashing, we design soap dispensers with timed sensors. We test for rational habit formation by informing some households about a future change in the returns to daily handwashing. Monitoring and incentives raise handwashing contemporaneously, and effects persist well after they end. In addition, people are rational about this habit formation: when they anticipate future monitoring, they increase their current handwashing. Average child weight and height increase for all study arms given soap dispensers.

Suggested Citation

  • Reshmaan Hussam & Atonu Rabbani & Giovanni Reggiani & Natalia Rigol, 2022. "Rational Habit Formation: Experimental Evidence from Handwashing in India," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 14(1), pages 1-41, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejapp:v:14:y:2022:i:1:p:1-41
    DOI: 10.1257/app.20190568
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anderson, Michael L., 2008. "Multiple Inference and Gender Differences in the Effects of Early Intervention: A Reevaluation of the Abecedarian, Perry Preschool, and Early Training Projects," Journal of the American Statistical Association, American Statistical Association, vol. 103(484), pages 1481-1495.
    2. Daniel Bennett & Asjad Naqvi & Wolf‐Peter Schmidt, 2018. "Learning, Hygiene and Traditional Medicine," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 128(612), pages 545-574, July.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Soren, Anup Anurag & Chakraborty, Shibashish, 2023. "The formation of habit and word-of-mouth intention of over-the-top platforms," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    3. Koch, Alexander K. & Monster, Dan & Nafziger, Julia, 2023. "Nudging in Complex Environments," IZA Discussion Papers 16137, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Syed Hasan & Odmaa Narantungalag, & Martin Berka, 2022. "The intended and unintended consequences of large electricity subsidies: evidence from Mongolia," Discussion Papers 2202, School of Economics and Finance, Massey University, New Zealand.
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    8. Cyan, Musharraf R. & Kasim, M. Taha, 2023. "Awareness campaign to improve hygiene practices: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial in the tribal areas of Pakistan," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    9. Vollaard, Ben & van Soest, Daan, 2024. "Punishment to promote prosocial behavior: a field experiment," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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