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Stationary social learning in a changing environment

Author

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  • Levy, Raphaël

    (HEC Paris)

  • Pęski, Marcin

    (University of Toronto - Department of Economics)

  • Vieille, Nicolas

    (HEC Paris)

Abstract

We consider social learning in a changing world. With changing states, societies can remain responsive only if agents regularly act upon fresh information, which drastically limits the value of observational learning. When the state is close to persistent, a consensus whereby most agents choose the same action typically emerges. However, the consensus action is not perfectly correlated with the state, because societies exhibit inertia following state changes. Phases of inertia may be longer when signals are more precise, even if agents draw large samples of past actions, as actions then become too correlated within samples, thereby reducing informativeness and welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Levy, Raphaël & Pęski, Marcin & Vieille, Nicolas, 2022. "Stationary social learning in a changing environment," HEC Research Papers Series 1433, HEC Paris.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebg:heccah:1433
    DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3999770
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lones Smith & Peter Sorensen, 2000. "Pathological Outcomes of Observational Learning," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 68(2), pages 371-398, March.
    2. Raphaël Levy & Marcin Pęski & Nicolas Vieille, 2024. "Stationary Social Learning in a Changing Environment," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 92(6), pages 1939-1966, November.
    3. Toke Aidt & Gabriel Leon & Max Satchell, 2017. "The Social Dynamics of Collective Action: Evidence from the Captain Swing Riots, 1830-31," CESifo Working Paper Series 6773, CESifo.
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    6. Wanying Huang, 2022. "The Emergence of Fads in a Changing World," Papers 2208.14570, arXiv.org, revised Nov 2024.
    7. Krishna Dasaratha & Benjamin Golub & Nir Hak, 2018. "Learning from Neighbors about a Changing State," Papers 1801.02042, arXiv.org, revised Nov 2022.
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    Cited by:

    1. Florian Brandl, 2025. "The Social Learning Barrier," Papers 2504.12136, arXiv.org, revised Aug 2025.
    2. Daron Acemoglu & Asuman Ozdaglar & Sarath Pattathil, 2023. "Learning, Diversity and Adaptation in Changing Environments: The Role of Weak Links," Papers 2305.00474, arXiv.org.
    3. Raphaël Levy & Marcin Pęski & Nicolas Vieille, 2024. "Stationary Social Learning in a Changing Environment," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 92(6), pages 1939-1966, November.
    4. Raphaël Levy & Marcin Pęski & Nicolas Vieille, 2024. "Stationary Social Learning in a Changing Environment," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 92(6), pages 1939-1966, November.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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