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...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Jansson, Cecilia Ahsan, Patil, Vikram, Vecci, Joseph, Chellattan Veettil, Prakashan, Yashodha
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: The University of Chicago Press 2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/179283
_version_ 1855538760304820224
author Jansson, Cecilia Ahsan
Patil, Vikram
Vecci, Joseph
Chellattan Veettil, Prakashan
Yashodha
author_browse Chellattan Veettil, Prakashan
Jansson, Cecilia Ahsan
Patil, Vikram
Vecci, Joseph
Yashodha
author_facet Jansson, Cecilia Ahsan
Patil, Vikram
Vecci, Joseph
Chellattan Veettil, Prakashan
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
id CGSpace179283
institution CGIAR Consortium
language Inglés
publishDate 2025
publishDateRange 2025
publishDateSort 2025
publisher The University of Chicago Press
publisherStr The University of Chicago Press
record_format dspace
spelling CGSpace1792832025-12-24T11:34:29Z Locus of Control and Economic Decision-Making: A Field Experiment in Odisha, India Jansson, Cecilia Ahsan Patil, Vikram Vecci, Joseph Chellattan Veettil, Prakashan Yashodha field experiments psychological factors climate resilience farmers decision making 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. 2025-09-04 2025-12-24T11:34:28Z 2025-12-24T11:34:28Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/179283 en Limited Access The 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 field experiments
psychological factors
climate resilience
farmers
decision making
Jansson, Cecilia Ahsan
Patil, Vikram
Vecci, Joseph
Chellattan Veettil, Prakashan
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 field experiments
psychological factors
climate resilience
farmers
decision making
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/179283
work_keys_str_mv AT janssonceciliaahsan locusofcontrolandeconomicdecisionmakingafieldexperimentinodishaindia
AT patilvikram locusofcontrolandeconomicdecisionmakingafieldexperimentinodishaindia
AT veccijoseph locusofcontrolandeconomicdecisionmakingafieldexperimentinodishaindia
AT chellattanveettilprakashan locusofcontrolandeconomicdecisionmakingafieldexperimentinodishaindia
AT yashodha locusofcontrolandeconomicdecisionmakingafieldexperimentinodishaindia