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Directed Attention and Nonparametric Learning

Author

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  • Ian Dew-Becker
  • Charles G. Nathanson
Abstract
We study an ambiguity-averse agent with uncertainty about income dynamics who chooses what aspects of the income process to learn about. The agent chooses to learn most about income dynamics at the very lowest frequencies, which have the greatest effect on utility. Deviations of consumption from the full-information benchmark are then largest at high frequencies, so consumption responds strongly to predictable changes in income in the short-run but is closer to a random walk in the long-run. Whereas ambiguity aversion typically leads agents to act as though shocks are more persistent than the truth, endogenous learning here eliminates that effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Ian Dew-Becker & Charles G. Nathanson, 2017. "Directed Attention and Nonparametric Learning," NBER Working Papers 23917, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
  • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:23917
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    Cited by:

    1. Rosen Valchev & Cosmin Ilut, 2017. "Economic Agents as Imperfect Problem Solvers," 2017 Meeting Papers 1285, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    2. Jurado, Kyle, 2023. "Rational inattention in the frequency domain," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth

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