Nonparametric learning rules from bandit experiments: The eyes have it!
Yingyao Hu,
Yutaka Kayaba and
Matthew Shum ()
Games and Economic Behavior, 2013, vol. 81, issue C, 215-231
Abstract:
How do people learn? We assess, in a model-free manner, subjectsʼ belief dynamics in a two-armed bandit learning experiment. A novel feature of our approach is to supplement the choice and reward data with subjectsʼ eye movements during the experiment to pin down estimates of subjectsʼ beliefs. Estimates show that subjects are more reluctant to “update down” following unsuccessful choices, than “update up” following successful choices. The profits from following the estimated learning and decision rules are smaller (by about 25% of average earnings by subjects in this experiment) than what would be obtained from a fully-rational Bayesian learning model, but comparable to the profits from alternative non-Bayesian learning models, including reinforcement learning and a simple “win-stay” choice heuristic.
Keywords: Learning; Belief dynamics; Experiments; Eye tracking; Bayesian vs. non-Bayesian learning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C14 C91 D83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (21)
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Related works:
Working Paper: Nonparametric learning rules from bandit experiments: the eyes have it! (2010) 
Working Paper: Nonparametric Learning Rules from Bandit Experiments: The Eyes have it! (2010) 
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:gamebe:v:81:y:2013:i:c:p:215-231
DOI: 10.1016/j.geb.2013.05.003
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