Distributional Preferences in Adolescent Peer Networks

Simon Schürz, Yonas Alem, Martin Kocher, Fredrik Carlsson and Mikael Lindahl
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Simon Schürz: Department of Economics, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Yonas Alem: Environment for Development and Department of Economics, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

No 20, IHS Working Paper Series from Institute for Advanced Studies

Abstract: We study distributional (“social”) preferences in adolescent peer networks. Using incentivized choices between allocations for themselves and a passive agent, children are classified into efficiency-loving, inequality-loving, inequality-averse, and spiteful types. We find that pairs of students who report a friendship link are more likely to exhibit the same preference type than other students that attend the same school. The relation between types is almost completely driven by inequality-loving and spiteful types. Further analyses suggest that preference peer networks are mainly formed by selection into the network and, to a smaller degree, by preference transmission. The role of peer networks in explaining distributional preferences goes beyond network composition effects. A low rank in academic performance and a central position within the network relate positively to a higher likelihood of being classified as spiteful. Hence, social hierarchies seem to be correlated with distributional preference types.

Pages: 36 pages
Date: 2020-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-net and nep-ure
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https://irihs.ihs.ac.at/id/eprint/5411/ First version, 2019 (application/pdf)

Related works:
Journal Article: Distributional preferences in adolescent peer networks (2023)
Working Paper: Distributional Preferences in Adolescent Peer Networks (2022)
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