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Not Learning from Others

Author

Listed:
  • John J. Conlon
  • Malavika Mani
  • Gautam Rao
  • Matthew W. Ridley
  • Frank Schilbach

Abstract

We study social learning using experiments where two people independently learn relevant information and can share it to make accurate private decisions. Across three experiments, people are substantially less sensitive to information others discover than to equally-relevant information they discovered themselves. This holds when they must learn information from others through discussion; when the experimenter perfectly communicates the information; and even when participants observe others’ information with their own eyes. Our results therefore stem not from a failure to elicit information from others but a systematic tendency to underweight it relative to one’s own information. Our findings illustrate a powerful barrier to social learning that might underlie many documented cases of failure to learn from others.

Suggested Citation

  • John J. Conlon & Malavika Mani & Gautam Rao & Matthew W. Ridley & Frank Schilbach, 2022. "Not Learning from Others," NBER Working Papers 30378, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30378
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

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    2. Bouacida, Elias & Foucart, Renaud & Jalloul, Maya, 2025. "When expert advice fails to reduce the productivity gap: Experimental evidence from chess players," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 236(C).
    3. Peng, Diefeng & Rao, Yulei & Sun, Xianming & Xiao, Erte, 2025. "Optional disclosure and observational learning," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    4. Gergely Hajdu & Balázs Krusper, 2023. "Choice-induced Sticky Learning," Department of Economics Working Papers wuwp349, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Department of Economics.
    5. Kondylis,Florence & Loeser,John Ashton & Mobarak,Mushfiq & Jones,Maria Ruth & Stein,Daniel Kevin, 2023. "Learning from Self and Learning from Others : Experimental Evidence from Bangladesh," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10545, The World Bank.
    6. Kashner, Daniel & Stalinski, Mateusz, 2024. "Preempting polarization: An experiment on opinion formation," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D9 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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