Signal Accuracy and Informational Cascades

Tuvana Pastine and Ivan Pastine

No 5219, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

Abstract: In an observational learning environment, rational agents with incomplete information may mimic the actions of their predecessors even when their own signal suggests the opposite. This herding behaviour may lead the society to an inefficient outcome if the signals of the early movers happen to be incorrect. This paper analyses the effect of signal accuracy on the probability of an inefficient informational cascade. The literature so far has suggested that an increase in signal accuracy leads to a decline in the probability of inefficient herding, because the first movers are more likely to make the correct choice. Indeed, the simulation results in Bikhchandani, Hirshleifer and Welch (1992) support this proposition. This paper however shows this not to be the case in general. We present simulations that demonstrate that even a small departure from symmetry in signal accuracy may lead to non-monotonic results. An increase in signal accuracy may result in a higher likelihood of an inefficient cascade.

Keywords: Social learning; Herding (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D80 D82 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cmp
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Working Paper: Signal accuracy and informational cascades (2006)
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