Optional Disclosure and Observational Learning

Diefeng Peng, Yulei Rao, Xianming Sun and Erte Xiao

No 05-18, Monash Economics Working Papers from Monash University, Department of Economics

Abstract: Observational learning theories often assume that people’s actions can be observed. However, in many naturally-occurring environments, individuals can choose whether to disclose their behavior to others. We provide theoretical analysis of observational learning under optional disclosure conditions. We further examine empirically how individuals decide whether to reveal decisions. Although we find evidence for other-regarding disclosure behavior, our findings highlight the importance of providing public information about how the disclosure behavior affects others.

Keywords: Observational learning; Information cascade; Optional disclosure; Other-regarding preferences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C91 D64 D82 D83 D91 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 50 pages
Date: 2019-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp and nep-gth
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Journal Article: Optional disclosure and observational learning (2025)
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