Nonparametric learning rules from bandit experiments: The eyes have it!

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Hu, Yingyao; Kayaba, Yutaka; Shum, Matthew
• 署名单位: Johns Hopkins University; California Institute of Technology
• 刊物名称: GAMES AND ECONOMIC BEHAVIOR
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0899-8256
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geb.2013.05.003
• 发表日期: 2013
• 页码: 215-231
• 关键词: Learning; Belief dynamics; experiments; Eye tracking; Bayesian vs. non-Bayesian learning

摘要

How do people learn? We assess, in a model-free manner, subjects' belief dynamics in a two-armed bandit learning experiment. A novel feature of our approach is to supplement the choice and reward data with subjects' eye movements during the experiment to pin down estimates of subjects' 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. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.