The Dynamics of Discrimination: Theory and Evidence

Aislinn Bohren, Alex Imas and Michael Rosenberg

No 13113, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We model the dynamics of discrimination and show how its evolution can identify the underlying source. We test these theoretical predictions in a field experiment on a large online platform where users post content that is evaluated by other users on the platform. We assign posts to accounts that exogenously vary by gender and evaluation histories. With no prior evaluations, women face significant discrimination. However, following a sequence of positive evaluations, the direction of discrimination reverses: women's posts are favored over men's. Interpreting these results through the lens of our model, this dynamic reversal implies discrimination driven by biased beliefs.

Keywords: Discrimination (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp and nep-gen
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

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Related works:
Journal Article: The Dynamics of Discrimination: Theory and Evidence (2019)
Working Paper: The Dynamics of Discrimination: Theory and Evidence (2018)
Working Paper: The Dynamics of Discrimination: Theory and Evidence (2017)
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