Locus of Control and Economic Decision-Making: A Field Experiment in Odisha, India

We study psychological impediments that make it difficult to change behavior. In particular, we evaluate the effect of a randomized intervention designed to target locus of control—an individual’s belief in his or her own ability to influence his or her outcomes—on the adoption of two products that...

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Autores principales: Jansson, Cecilia Ahsan, Patil, Vikram, Vecci, Joseph, Veettil, Prakashan Chellattan, Yashodha
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: University of Chicago Press 2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177499
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author Jansson, Cecilia Ahsan
Patil, Vikram
Vecci, Joseph
Veettil, Prakashan Chellattan
Yashodha
author_browse Jansson, Cecilia Ahsan
Patil, Vikram
Vecci, Joseph
Veettil, Prakashan Chellattan
Yashodha
author_facet Jansson, Cecilia Ahsan
Patil, Vikram
Vecci, Joseph
Veettil, Prakashan Chellattan
Yashodha
author_sort Jansson, Cecilia Ahsan
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description We study psychological impediments that make it difficult to change behavior. In particular, we evaluate the effect of a randomized intervention designed to target locus of control—an individual’s belief in his or her own ability to influence his or her outcomes—on the adoption of two products that can improve climate resilience. In the control group, farmers receive standard agricultural education. Treatment farmers are assigned to one of three treatments. They receive agricultural training and (1) a psychological information treatment providing tools to change beliefs about one’s sense of control, (2) a crop-simulation app allowing farmers to simulate their agricultural decisions, or (3) both treatments combined. Our sample consists of 1,674 farmers from 252 villages in Odisha, India. At baseline, we find that most individuals do not believe they can influence their agricultural outcomes. However, the interventions show limited effect on agricultural behavior, locus of control, or aspirations. We then explore potential explanations for these findings.
format Journal Article
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institution CGIAR Consortium
language Inglés
publishDate 2025
publishDateRange 2025
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publisher University of Chicago Press
publisherStr University of Chicago Press
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spelling CGSpace1774992025-11-03T02:38:47Z Locus of Control and Economic Decision-Making: A Field Experiment in Odisha, India Jansson, Cecilia Ahsan Patil, Vikram Vecci, Joseph Veettil, Prakashan Chellattan Yashodha farmers behaviour climate resilience psychology agricultural training innovation adoption decision making rural communities We study psychological impediments that make it difficult to change behavior. In particular, we evaluate the effect of a randomized intervention designed to target locus of control—an individual’s belief in his or her own ability to influence his or her outcomes—on the adoption of two products that can improve climate resilience. In the control group, farmers receive standard agricultural education. Treatment farmers are assigned to one of three treatments. They receive agricultural training and (1) a psychological information treatment providing tools to change beliefs about one’s sense of control, (2) a crop-simulation app allowing farmers to simulate their agricultural decisions, or (3) both treatments combined. Our sample consists of 1,674 farmers from 252 villages in Odisha, India. At baseline, we find that most individuals do not believe they can influence their agricultural outcomes. However, the interventions show limited effect on agricultural behavior, locus of control, or aspirations. We then explore potential explanations for these findings. 2025-10 2025-11-03T02:38:46Z 2025-11-03T02:38:46Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177499 en Limited Access University of Chicago Press Jansson, Cecilia Ahsan, Vikram Patil, Joseph Vecci, Prakashan Chellattan Veettil, and Yashodha. "Locus of Control and Economic Decision-Making: A Field Experiment in Odisha, India." Economic Development and Cultural Change 74, no. 1 (2025): 335-378.
spellingShingle farmers
behaviour
climate resilience
psychology
agricultural training
innovation adoption
decision making
rural communities
Jansson, Cecilia Ahsan
Patil, Vikram
Vecci, Joseph
Veettil, Prakashan Chellattan
Yashodha
Locus of Control and Economic Decision-Making: A Field Experiment in Odisha, India
title Locus of Control and Economic Decision-Making: A Field Experiment in Odisha, India
title_full Locus of Control and Economic Decision-Making: A Field Experiment in Odisha, India
title_fullStr Locus of Control and Economic Decision-Making: A Field Experiment in Odisha, India
title_full_unstemmed Locus of Control and Economic Decision-Making: A Field Experiment in Odisha, India
title_short Locus of Control and Economic Decision-Making: A Field Experiment in Odisha, India
title_sort locus of control and economic decision making a field experiment in odisha india
topic farmers
behaviour
climate resilience
psychology
agricultural training
innovation adoption
decision making
rural communities
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177499
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AT veccijoseph locusofcontrolandeconomicdecisionmakingafieldexperimentinodishaindia
AT veettilprakashanchellattan locusofcontrolandeconomicdecisionmakingafieldexperimentinodishaindia
AT yashodha locusofcontrolandeconomicdecisionmakingafieldexperimentinodishaindia