Abstract
We propose an experimental analysis to investigate the impact of social learning on individuals’ acquisition of information before making a choice and how behavioral biases and the perceived reliability of the information source affect this process. We use a stylized version of the canonical sequential search model and solve it with and without social information. Agents without social information act in isolation, while those with social information observe a peer’s choice but not their search process. We aim to explore the effects of social information on search behavior, the influence of the perceived quality of the information source, and the potential of alternative institutions to counteract behavioral biases and restore the benefits of social information. Our results can guide the development of policies that enhance the efficiency of decision-making processes by optimizing the use of social information.