Key publications
Blattman C, Jamison JC, Sheridan M (2017). Reducing Crime and Violence: Experimental Evidence from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Liberia.
American Economic Review,
107(4), 1165-1206.
Abstract:
Reducing Crime and Violence: Experimental Evidence from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Liberia
We show that a number of noncognitive skills and preferences, including patience and identity, are malleable in adults, and that investments in them reduce crime and violence. We recruited criminally engaged men and randomized one-half to eight weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy designed to foster self-regulation, patience, and a noncriminal identity and lifestyle. We also randomized $200 grants. Cash alone and therapy alone initially reduced crime and violence, but effects dissipated over time. When cash followed therapy, crime and violence decreased dramatically for at least a year. We hypothesize that cash reinforced therapy's impacts by prolonging learning-by-doing, lifestyle changes, and self-investment. (JEL D12, D83, H23, I32, K42, O15, O17)
Abstract.
Full text.
DOI.
Blattman C, Green EP, Jamison J, Lehmann MC, Annan J (2016). The Returns to Microenterprise Support among the Ultrapoor: a Field Experiment in Postwar Uganda.
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics,
8(2), 35-64.
Abstract:
The Returns to Microenterprise Support among the Ultrapoor: a Field Experiment in Postwar Uganda
We show that extremely poor, war-affected women in northern Uganda have high returns to a package of $150 cash, five days of business skills training, and ongoing supervision. Sixteen months after grants, participants doubled their microenterprise ownership and incomes, mainly from petty trading. We also show these ultrapoor have too little social capital, but that group bonds, informal insurance, and cooperative activities could be induced and had positive returns. When the control group received cash and training 20 months later, we varied supervision, which represented half of the program costs. A year later, supervision increased business survival but not consumption. (JEL I38, J16, J23, J24, L26, O15, Z13)
Abstract.
Full text.
DOI.
Publications by year
In Press
Jamison J (In Press). Accounting for Timing when Assessing Health-Related Policies.
Journal of Benefit Cost Analysis Full text.
DOI.
Carpenter JP, Huet-Vaughn E, Matthews PH, Robbett A, Beckett D, Jamison JC (In Press). Choice Architecture to Improve Financial Decision Making.
The Review of Economics and Statistics Full text.
Jamison J (In Press). Don’t Swipe the Small Stuff: a Randomized Evaluation of Rules of Thumb-Based Financial Education.
Journal of Consumer Affairs Full text.
Jamison J (In Press). Motivating Bureaucrats through Social Recognition: External Validity – a Tale of Two States.
Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes Full text.
Jamison J (In Press). Risk preferences in future military leaders.
Journal of Behavioral Economics for Policy Full text.
2020
Theodos B, Stacy CP, Hanson D, Jamison J, Daniels R (2020). Do not swipe the small stuff: a randomized evaluation of rules of thumb-based financial education.
Journal of Consumer Affairs,
54(2), 701-722.
Abstract:
Do not swipe the small stuff: a randomized evaluation of rules of thumb-based financial education
Copyright 2020 by the American Council on Consumer Interests We perform the first rigorous test of a rules of thumb-based approach to financial education on consumer behavior and outcomes. We test two rules of thumb that are targeted at reducing credit card revolving and deliver them in a randomized fashion via e-mail, online banner, and physical mailer. Using monthly administrative data and pre and postintervention credit data on almost 14,000 consumers, we find that the “Do not swipe the small stuff” rule of thumb reduces participants' targeted credit card balance by an average of 2% at a cost of around $0.50 per person. The “Credit keeps charging” rule shows a decline as well but the impact is not significant.
Abstract.
Full text.
DOI.
2019
Jamison JC (2019). The Entry of Randomized Assignment into the Social Sciences.
Journal of Causal Inference,
7 Full text.
DOI.
2017
Madrian BC, Hershfield HE, Sussman AB, Bhargava S, Burke J, Huettel SA, Jamison J, Johnson EJ, Lynch JG, Meier S, et al (2017). Behaviorally informed policies for household financial decisionmaking.
Behavioral Science & Policy,
3(1), 26-40.
Full text.
DOI.
Bryan CJ, Mazar N, Jamison J, Braithwaite J, Dechausay N, Fishbane A, Fox E, Gauri V, Glennerster R, Haushofer J, et al (2017). Overcoming behavioral obstacles to escaping poverty.
Behavioral Science & Policy,
3(1), 80-91.
Full text.
DOI.
Blattman C, Jamison JC, Sheridan M (2017). Reducing Crime and Violence: Experimental Evidence from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Liberia.
American Economic Review,
107(4), 1165-1206.
Abstract:
Reducing Crime and Violence: Experimental Evidence from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Liberia
We show that a number of noncognitive skills and preferences, including patience and identity, are malleable in adults, and that investments in them reduce crime and violence. We recruited criminally engaged men and randomized one-half to eight weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy designed to foster self-regulation, patience, and a noncriminal identity and lifestyle. We also randomized $200 grants. Cash alone and therapy alone initially reduced crime and violence, but effects dissipated over time. When cash followed therapy, crime and violence decreased dramatically for at least a year. We hypothesize that cash reinforced therapy's impacts by prolonging learning-by-doing, lifestyle changes, and self-investment. (JEL D12, D83, H23, I32, K42, O15, O17)
Abstract.
Full text.
DOI.
Jamison J, Owens D, Woroch G (2017). Social Learning about Environmental Innovations: Experimental Analysis of Adoption Timing.
Strategic Behavior and the Environment,
7, 135-178.
Full text.
DOI.
2016
Green EP, Blattman C, Jamison J, Annan J (2016). Does poverty alleviation decrease depression symptoms in post-conflict settings? a cluster-randomized trial of microenterprise assistance in Northern Uganda.
Global Mental Health,
3Abstract:
Does poverty alleviation decrease depression symptoms in post-conflict settings? a cluster-randomized trial of microenterprise assistance in Northern Uganda
Background.By 2009, two decades of war and widespread displacement left the majority of the population of Northern Uganda impoverished.Methods.This study used a cluster-randomized design to test the hypothesis that a poverty alleviation program would improve economic security and reduce symptoms of depression in a sample of mostly young women. Roughly 120 villages in Northern Uganda were invited to participate. Community committees were asked to identify the most vulnerable women (and some men) to participate. The implementing agency screened all proposed participants, and a total of 1800 were enrolled. Following a baseline survey, villages were randomized to a treatment or wait-list control group. Participants in treatment villages received training, start-up capital, and follow-up support. Participants, implementers, and data collectors were not blinded to treatment status.Results.Villages were randomized to the treatment group (60 villages with 896 participants) or the wait-list control group (60 villages with 904 participants) with an allocation ration of 1:1. All clusters participated in the intervention and were included in the analysis. The intent-to-treat analysis included 860 treatment participants and 866 control participants (4.1% attrition). Sixteen months after the program, monthly cash earnings doubled from UGX 22 523 to 51 124, non-household and non-farm businesses doubled, and cash savings roughly quadrupled. There was no measurable effect on a locally derived measure of symptoms of depression.Conclusions.Despite finding large increases in business, income, and savings among the treatment group, we do not find support for an indirect effect of poverty alleviation on symptoms of depression.
Abstract.
DOI.
Blattman C, Jamison J, Koroknay-Palicz T, Rodrigues K, Sheridan M (2016). Measuring the measurement error: a method to qualitatively validate survey data.
Journal of Development Economics,
120, 99-112.
Full text.
DOI.
Jamison JC (2016). Perceptions Regarding the Value of Life Before and After Birth.
Reproductive System & Sexual Disorders,
05(04).
Full text.
DOI.
Blattman C, Green EP, Jamison J, Lehmann MC, Annan J (2016). The Returns to Microenterprise Support among the Ultrapoor: a Field Experiment in Postwar Uganda.
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics,
8(2), 35-64.
Abstract:
The Returns to Microenterprise Support among the Ultrapoor: a Field Experiment in Postwar Uganda
We show that extremely poor, war-affected women in northern Uganda have high returns to a package of $150 cash, five days of business skills training, and ongoing supervision. Sixteen months after grants, participants doubled their microenterprise ownership and incomes, mainly from petty trading. We also show these ultrapoor have too little social capital, but that group bonds, informal insurance, and cooperative activities could be induced and had positive returns. When the control group received cash and training 20 months later, we varied supervision, which represented half of the program costs. A year later, supervision increased business survival but not consumption. (JEL I38, J16, J23, J24, L26, O15, Z13)
Abstract.
Full text.
DOI.
2015
Jamison J, Karlan D (2015). CANDY ELASTICITY: HALLOWEEN EXPERIMENTS ON PUBLIC POLITICAL STATEMENTS.
Economic Inquiry,
54(1), 543-547.
Full text.
DOI.
Conell-Price L, Jamison J (2015). Predicting health behaviors with economic preferences & locus of control.
Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics,
54, 1-9.
DOI.
Drouvelis M, Jamison JC (2015). Selecting public goods institutions: Who likes to punish and reward?.
Southern Economic Journal,
82(2), 501-534.
DOI.
Green EP, Blattman C, Jamison J, Annan J (2015). Women's entrepreneurship and intimate partner violence: a cluster randomized trial of microenterprise assistance and partner participation in post-conflict Uganda (SSM-D-14-01580R1).
Social Science & Medicine,
133, 177-188.
Full text.
DOI.
