This paper applies a social learning model to the optimal consumption rule of Allen & Carroll (2001), and delivers … results in the literature, both in terms of speed of convergence and parsimony of the learning model. The learning model … exhibits several appealing features: it is frugal, easy to apply to a range of learning objectives, requires few procedures and …

learning schemes can be compared in terms of the consumption behaviour that they yield. We show that neither purely adaptive … learning, nor social learning based on imitation can ensure satisfactory consumption behaviours. By contrast, if the agents can … terms of its regularity, and its ability to improve performance (which is as a clear manifestation of learning). Our results …