Causality – Difference Between SUTVA and Ignorability Explained

causality

I am reading the book Counterfactuals and Causal Inference: Methods and Principles for Social Research. I have a question related to Section 2.5, and 2.6.

Suppose $d$ is an $N \times 1$ vector of treatment indicator variables, the treatment effect for each individual $i$ is
$$\delta_i(d) = y_{i}^{1}(d) – y_{i}^{0}(d)$$

If SUTVA is valid, $\delta_i(d) = y_{i}^{1} – y_{i}^{0}$. I think it means the potential outcome $Y$ is independent of the treatment assignment pattern.

For Ignorability, the book defined it as "treatment status is independent of the potential outcomes."
$(Y^0,Y^1)$ independent of $D$.

What is the difference between the two?

Best Answer

SUTVA says that $\delta_i(d)$ doesn't depend on treatment assignment for individuals other than $i$. Ignorability says it doesn't depend on treatment assignment for individual $i$.