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Bayesian Learning in Social Networks

delete2011-03-07
delete464
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OA
AI
D
Daron Acemoğlu *
M
Munther A. Dahleh
I
Ilan Lobel
A
Asuman Ozdaglar
DOI:10.1093/restud/rdr004delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
We study the (perfect Bayesian) equilibrium of a sequential learning model over a general social network. Each individual receives a signal about the underlying state of the world, observes the past actions of a stochastically generated neighbourhood of individuals, and chooses one of two possible actions. The stochastic process generating the neighbourhoods defines the network topology. We characterize pure strategy equilibria for arbitrary stochastic and deterministic social networks and characterize the conditions under which there will be asymptotic learning-convergence (in probability) to the right action as the social network becomes large. We show that when private beliefs are unbounded (meaning that the implied likelihood ratios are unbounded), there will be asymptotic learning as long as there is some minimal amount of expansion in observations. We also characterize conditions under which there will be asymptotic learning when private beliefs are bounded.
Keywords:
Information aggregation
Learning
Social networks
Herding
Information cascades

Journal

Review of Economic Studies cover
Review of Economic Studies
IF:
6.4
Papers:
2.5K
Citations:
2.1W

Organization

N
New York University
Scholars:
4.4W
Papers: 3.9W
Citations: 5.8W