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Experiential and Social Learning

Author

Listed:
  • Akram, Agha Ali

    (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation)

  • Fleischman, Gabriella

    (University of Pittsburgh)

  • Hussam, Reshmaan

    (Harvard Business School)

  • Khan, Akib

    (House of Sustainable Society (HoSS))

Abstract

How does a person’s own learning experience affect their ability to learn from others? We conduct a field experiment on chlorination in Pakistan, where randomized “learning-arm” households use a tool to track their children’s diarrhea before and after chlorine distribution. Learning-arm households with learning-arm neighbors chlorinate significantly more one year after the withdrawal of the tool, with children’s health improving by 0.08 SD relative to all other households receiving chlorine. Neither learning households without learning-arm neighbors, nor non-learning households with learning-arm neighbors, exhibit sustained behavior change, results which have significant implications for intervention and evaluation design.

Suggested Citation

  • Akram, Agha Ali & Fleischman, Gabriella & Hussam, Reshmaan & Khan, Akib, 2026. "Experiential and Social Learning," HoSS Working Paper Series 2026-3, Stockholm School of Economics, House of Sustainable Society (HoSS).
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:hamisu:2026_003
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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
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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