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Learning By Doing In An Ambiguous Environment

Author

Listed:
  • Jim Engle-Warnick
  • Sonia Laszlo Author Email: sonia.laszlo@mcgill.ca
Abstract
We experimentally test whether risk aversion or ambiguity aversion can explain decisions in a learning by doing game. We first measure subjects' preferences toward risk and ambiguity, and then use these measures to predict behavior in the game. We find that ambiguity averse subjects pay more often to resolve ambiguity in the game. We also find that less risk averse subjects earn more in the game. Our results, in light of a previous field study of rural farmers in a developing economy, suggest a link between ambiguity aversion and technology choice, as well as a link between risk aversion and farm profitability.

Suggested Citation

  • Jim Engle-Warnick & Sonia Laszlo Author Email: sonia.laszlo@mcgill.ca, 2006. "Learning By Doing In An Ambiguous Environment," Departmental Working Papers 2006-29, McGill University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:mcl:mclwop:2006-29
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

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    3. Charles Bellemare & Sabine Kröger & Kouamé Marius Sossou, 2018. "Reporting probabilistic expectations with dynamic uncertainty about possible distributions," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 57(2), pages 153-176, October.
    4. Francesco Cavazza & Francesco Galioto & Meri Raggi & Davide Viaggi, 2020. "Digital Irrigated Agriculture: Towards a Framework for Comprehensive Analysis of Decision Processes under Uncertainty," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-16, October.
    5. W. Kip Viscusi & Scott DeAngelis, 2018. "Decision irrationalities involving deadly risks," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 57(3), pages 225-252, December.
    6. Martin G. Kocher & Odile Poulsen & Daniel J. Zizzo, 2017. "Social preferences, accountability, and wage bargaining," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 48(3), pages 659-678, March.
    7. Kei Tsutsui & Daniel Zizzo, 2014. "Group status, minorities and trust," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 17(2), pages 215-244, June.
    8. Jim Engle-Warnick & Javier Escobal & Sonia Laszlo, 2007. "Ambiguity Aversion As A Predictor Of Technology Choice: Experimental Evidence From Peru," Departmental Working Papers 2007-04, McGill University, Department of Economics.
    9. Shaun P. Hargreaves Heap & Daniel John Zizzo, 2011. "Emotions and Chat in a Financial Markets Experiment," Working Paper Series 10, The Paul Woolley Centre for Capital Market Dysfunctionality, University of Technology, Sydney.
    10. Jim Engle‐Warnick & Sonia Laszlo & Nagham Sayour, 2020. "Experimental evidence on personality traits and preferences," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 72(3), pages 288-317, July.
    11. Kaywana Raeburn & Jim Engle-Warnick & Sonia Laszlo, 2016. "Determinants of Food Consumption Choices: Experimental Evidence from St. Kitts," CIRANO Working Papers 2016s-43, CIRANO.
    12. Kaywana Raeburn & Sonia Laszlo & Jim Warnick, 2023. "Resolving ambiguity as a public good: experimental evidence from Guyana," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 95(1), pages 79-107, July.

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    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General

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