Learning Through Noticing: Theory and Experimental Evidence in Farming

Sendhil Mullainatha, Rema Hanna and Joshua Schwartzstein ()

Scholarly Articles from Harvard Kennedy School of Government

Abstract: Existing learning models attribute failures to learn to a lack of data. We model a different barrier. Given the large number of dimensions one could focus on when using a technology, people may fail to learn because they failed to notice important features of the data they possess. We conduct a field experiment with seaweed farmers to test a model of “learning through noticing†. We find evidence of a failure to notice: On some dimensions, farmers do not even know the value of their own input. Interestingly, trials show that these dimensions are the ones that farmers fail to optimize. Furthermore, consistent with the model, we find that simply having access to the experimental data does not induce learning. Instead, farmers change behavior only when presented with summaries that highlight the overlooked dimensions. We also draw out the implications of learning through noticing for technology adoption, agricultural extension, and the meaning of human capital.

Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (18)

Published in HKS Faculty Research Working Paper Series

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http://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/9804491/RWP12-044_Hanna.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
Working Paper: Learning Through Noticing: Theory and Experimental Evidence in Farming (2012)
Working Paper: Learning through Noticing: Theory and Experimental Evidence in Farming (2012)
Working Paper: Learning Through Noticing: Theory and Experimental Evidence in Farming (2012)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hrv:hksfac:9804491

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