Direct and Interaction Effects of Cash Transfers and Psychological Interventions Promoting Future Orientation on Economic Outcomes
Last registered on February 23, 2019
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Pre-Trial

Trial Information
General Information
Title
Direct and Interaction Effects of Cash Transfers and Psychological Interventions Promoting Future Orientation on Economic Outcomes
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0000996
Initial registration date
November 16, 2016
Last updated
February 23, 2019 8:45 AM EST
Location(s)

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Primary Investigator
Name
Kate Orkin
Affiliation
University of Oxford
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Other Primary Investigator(s)
PI Name
Rob Garlick
PI Affiliation
Duke University
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PI Name
Stefan Dercon
PI Affiliation
University of Oxford
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PI Name
Richard Sedlmayr
PI Affiliation
University of Oxford
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PI Name
Mahreen Mahmud
PI Affiliation
University of Oxford
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PI Name
Johannes Haushofer
PI Affiliation
Princeton University
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Additional Trial Information
Status
On going
Start date
2016-01-11
End date
2019-12-31
Keywords
Agriculture, Education, Labor, Welfare
Additional Keywords
Cash transfers, future orientation, goal-setting, behavioural interventions
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Abstract
The study seeks to analyse the impact cash transfers and of social psychological interventions (individually and in combination) on psychological and economic outcomes. Several sub-studies are associated with it.
External Link(s)
Registration Citation
Citation
Dercon, Stefan et al. 2019. "Direct and Interaction Effects of Cash Transfers and Psychological Interventions Promoting Future Orientation on Economic Outcomes." AEA RCT Registry. February 23. https://www.socialscienceregistry.org/trials/996/history/41945
Sponsors & Partners

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Experimental Details
Interventions
Intervention(s)
Three types of interventions are used in the trial:
- The psychologically active intervention consists of two back-to-back ten-minute aspirational videos, a facilitated goal-setting exercise, and the distribution of a reminder.
- The psychologically inactive intervention consists of two back-to-back ten-minute placebo videos, a facilitated placebo exercise, and the distribution of a reminder.
- The cash transfer intervention consists of the standard three-stage cash transfer program implemented by GiveDirectly.

In the course of the registration process for the cash transfers, eligible individuals are provided with a mobile money account as well as a mobile phone if they do not yet have these. This is followed by three mobile money transfers, made in intervals of approximately two months: a small transfer (`Token') of approximately USD100 (nominal 2016 dollars); a large transfer (`Lump Sum A') of approximately USD450; and a second large transfer (`Lump Sum B') of USD450 minus the price of the mobile phone.
Intervention Start Date
2016-11-01
Intervention End Date
2017-06-30
Primary Outcomes
Primary Outcomes (end points)
Assets, investment into economic activity, human capital investment, labour supply, revenue, consumption. We also examine the mechanisms through which the psychological intervention may work: self-efficacy, growth mindset, aspirations, expectations, preferences, depression and cognitive bandwidth.

Two initial analysis plans are enclosed in the initial registration (November 2016) for outcomes collected in the vicinity of the intervention, examining self-efficacy, growth mindset, aspirations and expectations, as well as cognitive outcomes.
Primary Outcomes (explanation)
See pre-analysis plans
Secondary Outcomes
Secondary Outcomes (end points)
See pre-analysis plans
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)
See pre-analysis plans
Experimental Design
Experimental Design
The project follows a 2x2 factorial design, and villages randomly allocated into one of four treatment arms:
(1) Psychologically active intervention
(2) Placebo intervention
(3) Cash transfer intervention plus psychologically active intervention
(4) Cash transfer intervention plus placebo intervention
Within arm (3), the timing of the psychologically active intervention is randomized at the level of individuals.
Experimental Design Details
Not available
Randomization Method
Stratified randomization by computer.
Randomization Unit
Randomized at the village level.
Was the treatment clustered?
Yes
Experiment Characteristics
Sample size: planned number of clusters
415 villages
Sample size: planned number of observations
Roughly 8,000 (tracking of participants is ongoing).
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
1/4 of villages in each arm.
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials

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IRB
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARDS (IRBs)
IRB Name
Social Science & Humanities Inter-Divisional Research Ethics Committee
IRB Approval Date
2016-04-13
IRB Approval Number
SSD/CUREC1A/BSG C1A_16-002
Analysis Plan

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